DEAR News Of The Area,

IT is my honour to have very recently been duly elected President of the Hawks Nest Tea Gardens Progress Association (HNTGPA) , at the AGM held on Monday 16 December.

I follow in the very large footsteps of my predecessor, Bruce Murray, being acutely aware of the amount of time, effort and energy that he, Sandra, and the entire PA Committee, including Office-Holders and regular members, have put into this organisation.

2024 has been a massive year, and it was, indeed, overshadowed by the need to get a local representative back into our Local Government, and all the good people of the HNTGPA came forth to help make that happen.

For their efforts and their passion, I will be eternally grateful.

I have ample evidence that I am taking the reins of an effective organisation, and that I will not be alone going into the future.

This town is populated by some very generous and passionate people, who know how amazing their area is, and want to keep it that way.

I want to personally thank Bruce, Sandra, and the rest of the outgoing committee, many of whom are also incoming again, for their tireless efforts on working bees at the Lions Park, Swimming Pool and Skate Park, PA initiatives, and assisting other groups to beautify, clean and maintain our amazing twin towns.

Hawks Nest and Tea Gardens are one and the same place, the river running through it is its heart, not a divider at all.

There is no need for anyone to ‘go it alone’, not with the myriad talents and capabilities that I already know to reside here, and after my first successful election, I should know the value of others’ heartfelt assistance.

We will continue to seek better transport, better amenity, and better facilities within our towns of TG/HN, and will do so with a clear, laser-focus on each project.

I personally seek to evolve the PA into its natural role as an umbrella for all organisations and clubs within our towns, co-ordinating and liaising constructively, openly, and realistically with all other groups in town, as a central point of reference, and as a chief connector, and always to the betterment of our home.

Sincerely,
Thomas O’KEEFE,
President,
Hawks Nest Tea Gardens Progress Association.