Alison Penfold (Lyne, National Party) Share this | Hansard source

I rise to recognise the late Lieutenant Colonel Eric Richardson, OAM, a man of family, community and country. Eric was born in Wingham on 15 December 1932, a sixth-generation Wingham local. At 14, Eric left school to work in the family butcher business, and soon, after turning 17, joined the Citizen Military Forces.

In 1957, Eric married Hope. They raised two children.

Following 12 years of dedicated service as a member of the CMF, Eric entered the Army in 1963, with the rank of captain, and served in the 5th Battalion of the Royal Australian Regiment for Vietnam from 1969 to 1970. In 1969, he joined the Wingham RSL Sub-branch. His service would eventually see him made a life member in 1996 and recognised with the prestigious medal for meritorious service in 2014.

In 1982, Eric retired from the Army, allowing him to devote himself to the community. Eric's contributions are significant and include: deputy mayor and greater Taree city councillor, founder and president of the Manning Valley beef week committee, member and chair of the Tocal agricultural college board, and founder and chair of the Wingham Scottish festival. For this he was awarded an OAM in 1997.

I, along with many distinguished community members, attended his funeral at the Wingham town hall on 8 August. I extend my sincere condolences to Mave and the family. May he rest— (Time expired)

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