Many will sleep soundly now knowing they have their own copy of  Noreen Hay’s valedictory speech safely delivered to their door.

All 12 pages of beautifully printed booklet with the outgoing member for Wollongong proudly on the cover.

The Illawarra Mercury put a number questions to Ms Hay in regards to the booklet which started appearing in mailboxes across the Wollongong electorate.

How many copies of the booklet were printed?

How much did it cost to print?

And the big one – why?

True to form, Ms Hay avoided the issue.

It seems rather odd that a politician would print out their entire speech and distribute it broadly in this manner.

It just seems odd.

Who would think it would be a “keepsake” for people and surely anyone half interested can go back into Hansard and find it for themselves?

“During my term as the elected member for Wollongong it has been my practice to communicate with my entire electorate on significant occurrences and issues I am undertaking,” Ms Hay told the Illawarra Mercury. 

“My valedictory speech has been sent to the electorate to continue the communication practice ensuring that all those who do not have access to a computer or have difficulty with technology do not miss out on reading their representative’s last speech to the NSW Parliament.”

Thursday, August 31, is Ms Hay’s final day.

The students at the Illawarra Grammar School got a  wonderful opportunity on Tuesday.

Former TIGS students and Olympians Emma and David McKeon and Jarrod Poort returned to the school to say hello and answer some of the students’ questions.

Four-time medalist Emma McKeon spoke for the first time about the support this region gave her, particularly at the time of a proposed ban of the closing ceremony.

“I’m so thankful and grateful to the community for helping me and supporting me,” Emma said

Come out in support of our Illawarra Olympians on Saturday at 10 am at the mall amphitheatre. Dress in green and gold and let’s make it a big morning.