Crook Stands Down as RFDS Chairman.

Author: Tony Crook
Published on: 23-October-2009

Nationals’ candidate Tony Crook has today announced he will step down from his role as Chairman of the Royal Flying Doctor Service Western Operations board in order to pursue his campaign for the federal seat of O’Connor.

Mr Crook served with the RFDS for 14 years, the past 10 of which were spent as Chairman. He was also a Councillor and President of the former Eastern Goldfields Section.

During his period of service, Mr Crook said he was proud to have been involved in raising the profile of the RFDS, as well as having the opportunity to serve from 1999 to 2002 as National Chairman.

Parliamentary leader of the Nationals WA, Brendon Grylls, acknowledged Mr Crook’s long service with the RFDS and his efforts to draw government attention to its needs.

“Royalties for Regions funding has been instrumental in increasing new medical jet services, as well as the purchase of three new turboprop aircraft,” Mr Grylls said.

“The Nationals are fully supportive of the RFDS and the efforts of members such as Tony Crook have helped keep the organisation on the government’s radar.”

Mr Crook said he was looking forward to the challenge of campaigning for the newly created Federal seat of O’Connor which stretches from Albany in the south west through east to Eucla, north to Warburton and then west again to Leonora and Leinster, taking in Kalgoorlie-Boulder in the centre.

“I feel the time is right for me to go, safe in the knowledge that the RFDS is in good hands and is now receiving excellent corporate and government support,” Mr Crook said.

“My focus now turns to the campaign for the seat of O’Connor and ways in which I can best serve the vast electorate.”

“It is my intention to spend a lot of time in the electorate, meeting with people and discussing their concerns and needs.”

Tony Crook was The Nationals WA lead Senate candidate in the 2007 Federal election and the candidate for Kalgoorlie in the 2008 State election.