It’s all too easy to get caught up with our daily responsibilities and forget to devote some time to those nearest and dearest to us, even if it’s as quick as a phone call or a text message.

It is important we all reflect and remember those who have helped us and made sacrifices for us personally or to the society in which we live.

Those who work the land and whose lives are dictated not by the clock but by their crops or livestock, by the seasons and the weather, do not have the luxury of booking annual leave.

We as a nation would suffer greatly without their dedication, their hard work and their determination to overcome sometimes overwhelming odds to bring food to our tables and clothes to our backs.

It’s also vital we remember those who are working or on call over Christmas. I pray that they enjoy as quiet a holiday period as possible and that the dedication and skills of the emergency services and nursing teams are put to minimal use.

While we are enjoying the comfortable and familiar surroundings of home at Christmas, we should spare a thought for those members of the Australian Defence Force who are across the globe serving to defend Australia’s interests, far from family.

I pray that they enjoy a peaceful Christmas and come home safely together.

And let’s not forget those who work in the services industry. While we are dashing about in a panic trying to find that perfect gift, we rely on those who work in shops and small businesses who are working long hours to make sure we can tick off all the items on our list.

Of course Christmas is about more than the giving of gifts. There are many, many people whose lives have taken unfortunate turns and for whom a Christmas gift cannot be obtained by the simple act of swiping a bank card.

Let us remember those in need, those who are suffering ill health or those who have suffered great loss; let us also remember the selfless volunteers who dedicate their energies to providing help and encouragement for those who are carrying heavy burdens.

This is a time for long road journeys to visit distant relatives.

Please, take the greatest care: drive to the conditions, do not rush, and remember to take regular breaks.

To everyone across our beautiful electorate of Cootamundra I wish a very merry and joyful Christmas, and a happy, safe and prosperous New Year.

It’s good to see that the Highway Patrol is intending to be visible these holidays. 

I wonder if they’ll identify the front of their patrol cars to assist the cause.

It was also good to see excellent advice contained in Sergeant Sivewright’s concluding comments about being aware of what’s around you in your driving environment. 

It’s unfortunate that many holiday crashes don’t involve people who are travelling on holidays. 

The messages of holiday safety apply to all of us because the mix of traffic during holiday periods is quite different from what might be considered normal. 

What can the average driver do (not just in holidays)? 

Start with ensuring that you are awake, sober, alert, focused, aware and thinking (wearing the seat belt is a no-brainer). 

Taking care of these elements will make it extremely unlikely that you will be caught by surprise.