First Member for Peats

Keith O'Connell, who passed away just recently, was the first State Member for Peats.

Keith rode into State Parliament on the storm of the Pelican Island Sewage Treatment Plant proposal.

He defeated the sitting member Mr Ted Humphries and served two to three terms of office.

One of the most original features of Keith's campaign was a large, grand mural painted on Mrs Kar's old shop, now the St Vincent's store.

Keith was the first politician to open an electoral office at Woy Woy and also he opened the first set of traffic lights on the Coast.

He gained many facilities and monies for Woy Woy during his time in office.

One of his proudest achievements was to get the huge and unique ramp at Woy Woy railway station.

Keith stepped down from parliament in the early 1980s to make way for the then rising star Mr Paul Landa.

Letter, 9 Jan 2007 Keith Whitfield