NSW Nationals' Jamie Chaffey with Ivanhoe local Wendy Aves. Image: supplied

The NSW Nationals candidate for the electorate of Parkes Jamie Chaffey visited Ivanhoe and Menindee last week, travelling the region's backroads to meet voters.

"I had a great morning catching up with the locals in Ivanhoe, who were all so welcoming," Mr Chaffey posted to social media.

"The town is full of proud people who are battling through the challenge of remoteness and trying to hold onto the services they have.

"These people don't want to be anywhere else - they love where they live, they just can't afford for their population to decline further."

Travelling onto Menindee Mr Chaffey described the village as 'beautiful' and the iconic Menindee Lakes worth the visit.

Mr Chaffey, who hails from Gunnedah, is a boilermaker by trade. He was elected to Gunnedah Shire Council in September 2016, having previously served as President of the Gunnedah Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Having been elected to Council in 2016, Mr Chaffey was then elected Mayor, serving the full five-year term until 2021, when he was re-elected as a councillor and Mayor.

He was endorsed as chair of the Namoi Unlimited Joint Organisation of Councils in 2018 and re-elected as chair in 2020. Mr Chaffey was also elected to the Executive of the Country Mayors Association of NSW and is a board member of the AUKUS forum of the Nuclear Advisory Board.

Mr Chaffey said he was honoured to be chosen as The Nationals candidate and looks forward to working with communities throughout the Parkes electorate over the coming months.

“I am proud to call this region home and I am deeply committed to continuing Mark Coulton’s legacy of delivering for the people of the Parkes electorate,” Mr Chaffey said.

“Over the past two years, Labor has left our regional communities behind, and I will fight to ensure they get what they deserve.

“We need to get cost of living back under control, improve access to healthcare and education in our regions, and invest in affordable and reliable power. I believe that to build a strong future for our next generation, we must develop industry within our communities to create opportunities for our young people to stay and raise their families here.

“I am looking forward to engaging with constituents and listening to their concerns, ideas and opinions as I travel around the electorate on the campaign trail.”

Mark Coulton, retiring Member for the Parkes electorate, congratulated Mr Chaffey on his preselection and said he will be a fierce advocate for communities across the electorate.

“I have worked closely with Jamie over the years, both in his role as Mayor and through his involvement with The Nationals, and I know he has a deep passion for bettering our region,” Mr Coulton said.

“I’m excited the Party has chosen someone of such high calibre. Jamie has been a hardworking community leader; he understands the issues facing our communities and knows that regional Australia is the backbone of our economy.

“He is not afraid to stand up for what he believes in, and I know he will work tirelessly to ensure the people of the Parkes electorate can continue to thrive into the future.”