Former minister honoured

Blacktown City Mayor Brad Bunting, Key to the City recipient Richard Amery and wife Marie Amery.

Long-serving Member of the NSW Parliament Richard Amery has received one of the Blacktown City community’s highest honours for the progress and service he delivered during his career.

Blacktown City Mayor Brad Bunting awarded Mr Amery the Key to Blacktown City in recognition of the major infrastructure and important public services he helped improve through his work.

“Richard’s name is known throughout the community thanks to his legacy of delivering for the area,” Mayor Bunting said.

“He was keenly attuned to people’s needs and worked hard to deliver solutions both during and outside of his parliamentary career.”

Mr Amery served Blacktown City in NSW Parliament for 32 years. He was Member for Riverstone for eight years and then became the longest-serving Member for Mount Druitt (24 years).

Mr Amery served eight years as a minister in the formidable cabinet of Premier Bob Carr, in the portfolios of Minister for Agriculture, Land and Water Conservation and Corrective Services.

His advocacy for constituents delivered benefits including: extensions to Mount Druitt TAFE, the upgrade of Mount Druitt railway station, the Mount Druitt Hospital palliative care ward, Chifley Senior College’s Mount Druitt.

Before his parliamentary career, Mr Amery risked his safety for others as a police officer for 13 years.

He served on the board of directors of Mount Druitt Hospital, worked on the management committee of Rooty Hill School of Arts and was involved in Girl Guides.

Richard lives in Rooty Hill with wife Marie and has set a fine example of community service for his children and grandchildren.

RICHARD AMERY PARLIAMENTARY SERVICE SNAPSHOT

Member for Riverstone 1983 – 1991

Member for Mount Druitt 1991 – 2015

Minister for Agriculture 1995 – 2003

Minister for Land and Water Conservation 1997 – 2001

Minister for Corrective Services 2001 – 2003