Marie Andrews

I am extremely proud to say that for the past eight years I have been elected as the State Member for Peats.

For 17 years prior to that, I was the private secretary to NSW Branch Secretary of the Australian Railways Union (now the Rail, Bus and Tram Union).

Interests include the Labor Movement - political and industrial wings; tennis; swimming; and reading.

I am active in local church; particularly interested in health, aged care and youth opportunities.

I am patron of Ocean Beach Surf Life Saving Club, Patron of Civilian Widows Association, Patron of Mooney Mooney Workers Club, Patron of Central Coast Netball Association.

I have been Involved in various hospital auxiliaries and Woy Woy Community Aged Care Auxiliary, Combined Pensioner and senior citizen groups, youth groups, school P&Cs, progress associations, precinct committees since my election in 1995.

My late mother, Hilda, was a long time resident of the Woy Woy Peninsula and was actively involved in a number of charitable organisations.

My late father, Arthur, was a director of the Ettalong Beach Memorial Bowling Club.

I have worked towards improving health, education, transport, roads, community services, policing, youth services and facilities and recreational facilities.

As the local member, I have led numerous local delegations to Ministers and have made representations on behalf of individuals and various community groups on a wide range of issues at all levels of government.

More recently, I was instrumental in forming a residents' action group, which was successful in having Gosford Council abandon its plans to acquire approximately 140 homes on the Peninsula.

I assisted residents of the Mangrove Mountain district to obtain a Community Technology Centre (CTC) which is a first for the Central Coast and I am currently lobbying Busways for a direct bus service from the Woy Woy Peninsula to Gosford Hospital.

I have lobbied hard since becoming the local member for extra police resources for the electorate and improved working conditions for police officers with successful outcomes.

Total number of police working in Brisbane Water Local Area Command is 241, which includes extra 15 officers deployed to Woy Woy police station.

This station has also been upgraded during my time as Member for Peats.

The establishment of the Police Community Youth Club (PCYC) in Umina Beach received my strong support and that of the then Police Minister Mr Paul Whelan.

This club is the most modern and best equipped in New South Wales and is the first to be established on the Central Coast.

Marie Andrews, February 13