Batlow Show – Celebrating 101 Years Today!

It’s Show Day in Batlow – and what a milestone to celebrate! The community is coming together today to mark an incredible 101 years of the Batlow Show, a proud tradition of showcasing local produce, talent, and country spirit.

James and Helen Gooden are attending from around 11am and will be walking the showgrounds throughout the day, chatting with locals and enjoying everything this iconic event has to offer.

They’re looking forward to being part of the day, seeing the displays and activities – just like those at the Tumut Show earlier this month, (pictured below), celebrating with the community, and hearing directly from residents about what matters most to them.

A big congratulations to all involved in bringing this show to life once again – your dedication keeps these vital traditions

A big thank you to the Gunning District Association for hosting last night’s candidate's forum, and to Bernie for chairing the discussion so well. It was great to see such strong community engagement from across Gunning, Upper Lachlan, and Yass Valley.

The forum covered a range of critical issues, including:

Energy security and responsible planning

Cost of living pressures and interest rate relief

Political donations and their influence on democracy

The future of flexible work arrangements and return-to-office mandates

Community forums like this are a fantastic way to have real conversations about the issues that matter. I appreciated the opportunity to share my perspective and hear directly from locals about their concerns and priorities.

Thank you as well to the incumbent and fellow candidates for taking part in the discussion—it’s important that voters have the opportunity to hear from everyone putting their hand up to represent the Riverina.

Thanks again to the organisers, the engaged audience, and of course, the GDA team for the warm welcome (and a great supper!).

James will be on the road this Wednesday, March 12, visiting communities across the Riverina to hear directly from locals about the issues that matter most.

Marrar – 8:30 AM - 9:45 AM

Coolamon – 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Ganmain – 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM

Ardlethan – From 3:00 PM

If you see James out and about, come over and have a chat—whether it’s about local businesses, farming challenges, essential services, or the future of regional communities, he wants to hear from you.

James had a fantastic time at the River & Wren Market, meeting with locals and enjoying the incredible creativity and talent on display. Markets like these are a great reminder of the vibrant small business and creative community that makes the Riverina unique.

It was great to catch up with local artist Kylie van Tol, whose work showcases the depth of talent in our region. Supporting local artists, makers, and small businesses is key to keeping our communities strong and thriving.

Thank you to everyone who stopped for a chat—it’s always great to hear what’s on people’s minds and discuss what matters most to the region.

Celebrating International Women’s Day 2025

On Saturday, March 8, we celebrated how far we’ve come in the fight for gender equality, while recognising that there’s still work to be done. International Women’s Day is a time to reflect on the achievements of women in all areas of society and to reaffirm our commitment to a future where opportunities, respect, and equality are a reality for all.

Helen had the privilege of attending IWD25 March Forward events, celebrating the incredible contributions of women in our region. Meanwhile, James was in Adelong, speaking with locals about the issues that matter most to their community.

Progress happens when we listen, support, and take action—and today, we acknowledge the women who continue to drive change, break barriers, and inspire future generations.

Saturday was a fantastic day spent connecting with communities across the Riverina. James attended the Adelong Show, meeting with locals and enjoying the strong community spirit that makes country shows such an important tradition. These events are a great opportunity to hear directly from people about the issues that matter most to them.

Meanwhile, Helen attended International Women’s Day events, celebrating the incredible achievements of women and the ongoing push for gender equality.

Listening to and understanding the concerns of local communities is what strong representation is all about. Thank you to everyone who took the time to stop and chat—we appreciate your insights, your stories, and your passion for the region.

Great to be Back in Lockhart

James had a fantastic time catching up with familiar faces and meeting new ones during his visit to Lockhart. With a longstanding family connection to the town, Lockhart holds a special place for James, making every visit a great opportunity to reconnect with the community.

Key discussions included medical access to Wagga, aged care, and local services, with locals raising the ongoing need for better regional healthcare and support for seniors. These are critical issues that deserve real advocacy at the federal level.

Thank you to everyone who took the time to stop for a chat—your insights and experiences are invaluable.

Engaging with the Murrumbateman Community

It was great to meet with the Murrumbateman Community Association, including Acting President Stephanie Helm, Bob Evans, and Annaliese Caston, to discuss key local issues and opportunities for the region.

From infrastructure to sustainability, it’s clear that the community is passionate about shaping a strong future for Murrumbateman. I appreciate the time and insights shared, and I look forward to continuing these important conversations.

Supporting Our Seniors at the SafeTea Morning Tea

On March 3, James, Helen and Sandra Gooden attended the SafeTea Morning Tea, marking the launch of Seniors Festival 2025 in Wagga Wagga. It was a great opportunity to connect with older community members and hear firsthand about the issues impacting their health, safety, and wellbeing.

The event brought together local representatives from NSW Legal Aid, Relationships Australia, the Australian Red Cross Aged Care Volunteer Visitor Scheme, and NSW Police, providing valuable insights and support for older residents.

Ensuring that seniors in the Riverina have access to the services and support they need is essential for strong, inclusive communities. Thank you to everyone who came along and shared their thoughts!

A big thank you to Marguerite for her warm hospitality at Barneys Café—a fantastic local spot. It was great to meet and chat with residents about the key issues affecting the area.

Discussions covered a range of important topics, including wind energy, gas, the sheep industry, and the impact of bank closures on regional communities. These are critical concerns that require strong advocacy to ensure rural towns like Bookham continue to thrive.

I appreciate the time and insights shared, and I’ll keep listening and working to support our region

As always Tumbarumba has put on another great day of music and entertainment, attracting people from near and far to Tumbafest. Supporting rural communities is so important. What an enjoyable day out.

Pictured: James & Tim Hay of TumeriX TurmeriX

Mr Perfect

This is true grass roots support for men in local communities. Mr Perfect supports men’s mental health by creating safe, welcoming spaces where men can connect over a BBQ and real conversations.

A credit to those who organise, support and donate towards the Cowra gathering. Thank you for including me last week.

A special thanks to everyone who made the extra effort to meet with me at the Gunning Show last weekend. I’m truly honored that so many traveled into town just to connect.

A key concern raised by the community was the lack of transparency surrounding the full costing of above-ground versus underground transmission lines that are being forced upon the region.

Additionally, the conflict that compulsory acquisition creates remains a real district concern.

It's crucial that we continue these conversations and work together to find solutions for our community.

Pictures James Gooden, Andrea Strong, Christine Hughes and Russell Erwin

I had an incredible time at the Gundagai Show connecting with the local and extended farming community.

The energy was contagious, and it was clear: change is needed. Together, we can work towards a brighter future for all. Thank you for your warm welcome and valuable insights!

Let's keep the momentum going!

Pictured, Mark Stanham, James Gooden and Geoff Eastwood

I'll be meeting with our local councillors to hear their insights and focus areas for the region. From lunchtime onwards, I’ll be walking the Main Street, and if you’re about, I’d love to have a conversation with you!

On Wednesday, I attended the 'Meet the Manufacturer' demo in Temora, which showcased the innovation and quality of leading agricultural brands.

The event featured live product demonstrations of Australian agricultural products.

Some of the main issues concerning Australian manufacturers, include the need to preserve rural and regional communities. Highlighting the need to source labor and keeping people in these communities.

Pictured: Alan Brenden & James Gooden

Crookwell Show

On Saturday, 8th February, I was warmly welcomed at the Crookwell Show. The event was a true credit to the show committee and the hardworking volunteers who made it all happen.

The Crookwell community feels like they are carrying more burden then they should in the renewable energy space. They’re seeking better planning to stimulate the region.

I had the chance to chat with locals and even enjoy some time at the quick shear demonstration. A big thank you to everyone who made the day so enjoyable.

Pictured James Gooden and Wayne Southwell.

I had a great time attending the Tumbatrek Dinner on Friday night!

It was a valuable opportunity to hear about the local concerns, especially the impact of cost of living and energy prices on our small community. Engaging with industry members gave me deeper insights into the challenges we face. A big thank you to the Snowy Valleys Council and a delicious dinner, perfectly catered by Harvest Kitchen Catering Co.

I’ll be walking main street tomorrow and would love the chance to meet as many locals as possible.

It’s important to hear directly from you about the issues that matter most in our community—whether it’s local services, infrastructure, or anything else on your mind.

Stop by, have a chat, and let me know what you think should be the focus for the area moving forward. Your voice matters!

Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow!

I’ll be in Cowra today, Friday the 31st and I’d love to hear directly from you!

I’ll be walking the main street in the morning, and from 10 a.m. onwards, I’ll be at Breakout Brasserie Café to chat and hear what matters most to you. If that time doesn’t work, I’m happy to arrange another time that suits you better.

Your feedback is incredibly important to me, and I’m looking forward to meeting you, hearing your thoughts, and working together for a stronger future for Cowra and the surrounding areas!

Late last month I had the chance to visit the Yass region and catch up with local councillors and community members.

The Yass community and businesses were very encouraging and positive of our campaign. It was highlighted to us that water security for future growth and the upgrade of the Barton Highway is of high importance to the Yass community.

Thanks, Yass for your support.

On Wednesday I had the privilege of being out in Cootamundra, door knocking and connecting with our community to gather signatures for a cause that is close to my heart: Saving the critical, pathology unit at Cootamundra Hospital!

This service is essential to the health and well-being of our families, and we must do everything we can to ensure it remains open and accessible to our community.

Thank you to everyone who took the time to sign the petition and share their support. Together, we can make a real difference and stand up for the health services we all rely on.