VALE the Hon. Stephen Bromhead on your recent passing and condolences to your family.

Mr Bromhead was the Myall Lakes state electorate member for twelve years and served his electorate with distinction and passion.

Mr Bromhead entered state politics just a few months before I became Bulahdelah Business Chamber President.

This was great because I only had one state member to deal with over the past decade or so and the opportunity was there to build up a long standing relationship.

I dealt with Stephen and his wife Sue on too many occasions to mention and they were all memorable, informative and a bit of fun.

For myself, besides working with him in a business sense, it was the off-beat times we shared together.

My most vivid memories are of Stephen wearing his favourite tartan tie to just about every sitting of parliament, many events and his undying passion as a rugby union tragic.

Probably the most remembered story by the general public is the time he jumped up in a debate in parliament and broke his leg.

It was not the best way to be known on the nightly news.

A few years ago I was at NSW Parliament House for a Seniors Stories awardand at the end of the ceremony I couldn’t find him anywhere as many others were meeting their local MPs and was wondering where he was.

Being one of the few people anywhere to have his personal phone number I rang him and said “Stephen, where are you as you’re missing a photo opportunity here”.

He appeared pretty quick smart.

I’ll probably go down in history as one of the few people who dragged their local MP out of the chamber while parliament was sitting.

What happens to someone in Bulahdelah is more important than any state issue!

Mind you, he did promise me a tour of parliament house and lunch next time.

To say that he was a man for all seasons would be an understatement.

When I was going to take up the offer for lunch he was away fighting bushfires.

That was Stephen, he always held the need for locals higher than anything else especially in times of crisis
On another occasion I raced back to the opening of the Bulahdelah Show after attending a business function in Sydney.

The first thing I did when meeting the official party was to kiss the cheek of the then Deputy Mayor of MidCoast Council, Councillor Katheryn Smith.

It was a delight to see the shock on Stephen’s face but here in Bulahdelah we are always personal.

Recently I was able to track him down in Lord Howe Island where he had escaped known to only a few for a holiday.

My advice to everyone is if you don’t want to be disturbed on holidays, leave your phone at home and In retrospect it wasn’t an important issue and could have waited a week or so longer.

I count Stephen not only as my partner in business ‘crime’ but also as a great colleague.

Initially with our dealings I would see the blood run from his face when he saw me coming to advocate funding improvements here in our local area and find out his take on the bigger issues.

Over time he softened as he realised we were both on the same side for advocating improvements to our community.

He gave me much needed information about what was happening and avenues for further funding improvements.

Stephen was always level headed and cheery regardless of the situation and that’s the way I’ll and many others will always remember him.

I’m sure that in the great debate chamber in the sky Stephen is giving it all he’s got, advocating for improvements to that stairway to heaven or the highway to hell.

You’ll be missed mate.

Thanks for your service and memories.

By John SAHYOUN