Vale Elisabeth Wilma Kirkby OAM Councillors, the general manager, directors, managers, staff and citizens of Temora Shire have learned of the passing of one of our esteemed former Councillors, Ms Elisabeth Wilma Kirkby. Ms Kirkby was a wonderful age of 105. Ms Kirkby spent most of her life in England and Sydney. She served as a state parliamentary leader with the Australian Democrats in the NSW Legislative Council from 1981 to 1998. Having moved to Temora Shire, Ms Kirkby purchased the ‘Bellendale’ Homestead at Narraburra and immersed herself in community life. Ms Kirkby stood for election at the 1999 Council elections and was duly elected. She served as a Councillor on Temora Shire from 1999 -2004. Ms Kirby also served on many Council and community committees. At the remarkable age of 93, Ms Kirkby became the oldest Australian University graduate. Ms Kirkby was also an actress, having a starring role on the television show, ‘Number 96’. Ms Kirkby will be remembered as a tireless advocate for all she believed in. She was a determined lady and one who earned respect from all who she came into contact with. The prayers and thoughts of Councillors, our Staff and all Citizens of Temora Shire remain with Ms Kirkby’s family and friends. I invite all assembled to please rise in our places and observe a Minute’s Silence, to honour the service of the late former Councillor – Ms E W Kirkby OAM. Flying Doctor Service – 90 Year Milestone and Ongoing Support The Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) Southeastern Section recently presented to the NSW Country Mayors Association (CMA) on 8 May, highlighting the significant contribution the organisation makes to employment, training, and workforce development through the delivery of multi-modal healthcare services across Western and Far West New South Wales. The RFDS provides critical support to more than 40 member councils of the CMA, including Temora Shire, and plays a vital role in ensuring access to healthcare services in rural and remote communities. This year marks the 90th anniversary of the Royal Flying Doctor Service, representing nine decades of delivering essential emergency and community healthcare services to people living in some of the most isolated parts of New South Wales. The RFDS currently operates across more than 80 rural and remote communities, providing healthcare access to approximately 1.8 million residents. In many of these areas, the RFDS is the only available healthcare provider, delivering services including aeromedical retrievals, patient transfers, primary healthcare, mental health support and dental care. Rural and remote communities continue to experience significant disadvantage, particularly in relation to access to healthcare services and health outcomes. Across Western New South Wales, mortality rates are substantially higher than the state average, including 27 per cent higher for heart disease, 46 per cent higher for diabetes, and 75 per cent higher for chronic lung disease. Hospitalisation rates are also elevated, reflecting the ongoing challenges faced by regional communities in accessing timely and appropriate healthcare. An independent economic analysis undertaken by Marsden Jacob Associates has demonstrated the significant value of the RFDS, with its aeromedical services alone generating more than $1.3 billion annually in economic benefits to the New South Wales economy through avoided mortality and morbidity. This figure does not include the broader value generated through the RFDS’s extensive primary, mental health and dental services. The report further indicates that relatively modest investment in rural and remote healthcare can deliver disproportionately strong health, social and economic outcomes, while also reducing pressure on the wider healthcare system. The NSW Government’s provision of a $15 million assistance grant to the RFDS in the 2025–26 financial year is to be acknowledged, however continued and reliable annual funding is essential to ensure the sustainability of these vital services and to support improved health outcomes for residents of rural, regional and remote New South Wales. Bank Branch Closures Bank branch closures are a growing concern for Temora Shire and other rural, remote and regional communities. At the 24 April, REROC Board Meeting, Mr David Heine, CEO of Regional Bank Australia, outlined the Regional Banking Investment Alliance campaign for a Community Service Obligation (CSO) to help retain face-to-face banking in regional Australia. Mechanics of the model The model would help fund trained face-to-face banking staff in rural, regional and remote Australia. It would apply only to banks providing core retail banking services, including cash management. The CSO would cover about 32 per cent of the average cost of a regional branch—roughly three full time equivalent (FTE) staff—at an estimated industry cost of $153 million, or 0.17 per cent of major banks’ operating income. Using an FTE-based subsidy means support scales with the level of service a branch provides, including longer opening hours. Base FTE costs would be indexed annually. Similar schemes Comparable obligations already exist for other essential services in Australia. • Telecommunications: the Universal Service Obligation helps ensure equitable access to standard telephone services and public payphones. • Pharmacies: a Commonwealth funding pool supports ongoing and timely access to PBS medicines. • Private health insurance: the Risk Equalisation Scheme redistributes funds to support system fairness and sustainability. Access to face-to-face banking remains critical to the economic resilience, safety and day-to-day functioning of regional and remote communities. • Keeping business local - When a branch closes, customers travel elsewhere to bank, reducing local foot traffic and spending in smaller communities. • Security - Closures increase the need for businesses and residents to hold cash longer, raising financial and physical security risks, especially for grocery and fuel retailers. • Community support – Local banks often sponsor events, clubs and projects, contributing directly to community life. • Employment – Bank branches provide skilled, flexible jobs that help retain young people and attract families to regional towns. • Local context – Local branches understand community needs and can better identify financial abuse, scams and fraud. • Digital disadvantage, outages and natural disasters – Regional communities face higher digital exclusion, more outages and more natural disasters, making face-to-face and cash services essential. In conclusion, banking is an essential service that must remain accessible to all communities. Regional communities contribute strongly to Australia’s prosperity, and banks should be required to continue serving them. Supporting the Obligation on banks to fund face-to-face banking in regional Australia recognises the role of banking services in sustaining main streets across the country. If rural, remote and regional Australia is expected to grow and prosper, face-to-face banking must be maintained, and that responsibility should sit with the banks. They were moved by Councillor Nigel Judd and seconded by Councillor Ken Smith.
