Stopping in both Finley and Colembally as part of her ‘Pub Meet’ series, Mrs Milthorpe said the visit to reinforced both the strength of the community, and the growing concerns being felt across the region.
“There is something really special about Finley,” Mrs Milthorpe said.
“You see it in the small moments, footy tipping, post-pilates catch-ups, friends reconnecting. That strong sense of community is alive and well.
“But alongside that, people are worried. And they want to be heard.”
“(Water and healthcare) are not isolated concerns, they are coming up in every town I visit.
“People feel like decisions about them are being made for them, not with them. And they’re tired of being overlooked.”
During her visit, Mrs Milthorpe also met with local farmers who have begun diversifying their operations in response to ongoing uncertainty around water.
“I spoke with families who have made significant changes to their farms because they simply can’t rely on the future of water,” she said.
“They’re adapting, they’re investing, they’re doing everything they can to stay viable, but they feel like no one is listening and no one cares.”
Mrs Milthorpe also visited a local dairy, where she saw first-hand the innovation and commitment of a family investing in the future of the industry.
“What stood out was not just the investment in the farm, but the flow-on effect for the whole community: jobs, local businesses, and the confidence it brings to the town,” she said.
“This is what’s at stake when we get water policy wrong.
“If elected, I will be calling for an end to water buybacks and pushing for a Royal Commission into water.
“I will also continue to fight against the steady withdrawal of services from towns like Finley and Coleambally.”
Mrs Milthorpe said communities across Southern Riverina have seen a gradual loss of essential services over many years, with banking among the most concerning.
Another recent service downgrade was postal services at Colembally.
“We are seeing decisions made in capital cities that have real consequences for people in regional communities,” she said.
“Whether it’s banking, postal services or healthcare, country towns are too often treated as an easy place to cut.”
“The message I’m hearing is clear, people want a local representative who understands their community and will fight for it.”
“If elected, I will do everything in my power to make sure our communities are not left behind, with water and healthcare at the top of the agenda.”
