As the State Member for the Lismore electorate, which covers the village of Torrington, I want to express my deep sympathy for Dianne and Keith Blessing for the horrific ordeal and serious injuries they suffered in a home invasion last week.
It is a great relief to know that Dianne has been released from hospital and that Keith is out of Intensive Care. We are all wishing him well for a full recovery.
As Premier Chris Minns said on radio, Keith Blessing acted heroically in protecting his family. Dianne says without her husband’s actions she would not be alive today.
I would also like to echo the comments made by Dianne Blessing in praising the Westpac Rescue helicopter service, for landing in the dark in their paddock at night in dangerous conditions to get Dianne and Keith to hospital.
And Dianne praised the emergency responders, hospital staff, community members and strangers who rallied to support them.
The attack has had a big impact on the village of Torrington and when I learned of it when I was in Parliament I was deeply concerned for the community.
My senior staff member Carmel Cook knows Torrington well, and she immediately started calling the locals last Thursday to check on their welfare.
Unfortunately many people couldn’t be contacted because of problems with Telstra connectivity for mobile phones
The next day Carmel travelled to Torrington to talk to the locals in person and listen to their concerns. She was accompanied by Tenterfield Mayor Bronwyn Petrie and Councillor Peter Murphy, of C Ward, which covers Torrington and District, along with NSW Police.
People raised a number of safety and crime prevention concerns at the meeting.The lack of reliable mobile phone connectivity is a key issue. I have taken this up directly with Telstra, calling for them to investigate the problems and if necessary change the location of the communications tower.
Following up from the meeting, Cr Murphy has sent me a list of safety recommendations include solar powered lighting and alarms and setting up a Rural Watch Torrington, similar to Neighbourhood Watch. I will work closely with the community and council on these recommendations.
Cr Murphy thanked Carmel and myself on behalf of the community and said the decisive and important action taken was very much appreciated.
My office will continue to contact residents on a monthly basis to check on their welfare.
I wish Dianne and Keith and their family the very best as they start the recovery process from this terrifying event.
