FOR anyone under the age of 45, the only state member they have ever known is George Souris.
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But that is all about to change as Mr Souris embarks on a new politics-free career and the electors of the Upper Hunter get to choose a new member at the polls tomorrow.
After 27 years as our state member, Mr Souris has decided to call it quits and what his post politics working life is going to look like, he is as yet, unsure.
One thing he is certain about, he won’t be returning full-time to his former job as an accountant.
At this stage he is looking at his options but quickly added these options don’t include, like other former politicians have, working for mining or coal seam gas developers.
He said he has been inundated with requests to join various charitable organisations, which he will in time.
So far he has accepted a position as a board member on the Australian Rugby Foundation.
When asked what he wished he had been able to achieve for Singleton during his time in politics he listed three things.
Top of the list was a new police station, then a new fire station and, lastly, a decent commuter carpark at the railway station.
He roughly estimated the three would cost $17m and he said the new member can start work on getting these three projects underway – no pressure!
His other parting advice involves planning laws with a suggestion that before exploration licences are even issued, a thorough investigation should be undertaken.
“If we started then a great deal of money and heartache may be avoided because once you start preparing environmental impact statements the costs are huge,” he said.
Having held various portfolios and senior positions during his term including being leader of the state Nationals, Mr Souris said his favourite job was being Minister for the Arts.
So it’s fitting his last job as a politician is opening the Australian Opera’s Aida on Sydney Harbour.
Mr Souris admitted he would miss many aspects of being a politician but he won’t miss flying – he simply hates flying.
“I hate flying; what have you got - 2mm of perspex between you and the clouds,” he said.
“No thanks, I drive and catch trains where ever possible and often that meant getting up at 3am to get to the event on time.”
The Upper Hunter electorate will decide between Louise Checchin (No Land Tax), Michael Johnsen (The Nationals), John Kaye (Greens), Martin Rush (Country Labour), Richard Stretton (Christian Democratic Party) and Lee Watts (Independent).