A decade in politics cause to celebrate

MILESTONE: Thomas George touches on his 10 years in State Parliament before a belated formal celebration of his achievements yesterday.

JAY CRONAN

LISMORE MP Thomas George says there are three things to which no one is immune: drugs, mental illness and cancer.

This is what he told a gathering of community leaders and supporters at the formal celebration of his 10 years in State Parliament representing the electorate of Lismore.

The 60-year-old former stock and station agent marked the decade in politics in March, but said he had only now found the time to celebrate with a function.

Mr George's family was rocked by drugs charges more than two years ago against his son, Brendan, who was a member of the Lone Wolf motorcycle gang.

The charges were dropped in December last year, but Mr George lives with the lessons.

“It's probably hardened me in some ways,” he said yesterday.

“Because whilst he's still my son and I love him, and we as a family love him, I cannot condone being part of a bike club, and that's why it's probably hardened me.”

If he had to pick out three achievements in his time in Parliament, Mr George said he is proud of the work he did with the community to get a new hospital at Kyogle, a mental health unit for the area and an integrated cancer unit.

“I didn't do that all on my own. It is something that we (the community) worked together to achieve,” he said.

“It's a partnership.”

Mr George is married to Deborah, has three sons, and was born at Casino in 1949.

Mr George helped found George & Fuhrmann Stock & Station and Real Estate Agents in Casino in 1976, and has retained his roots in the industry throughout his career in politics.

Mr George said he wanted to serve another term in the NSW Parliament, but would have to consider his options after that.