NSW Governor David Hurley and his wife Linda were in Leeton shire on Monday to visit the Yanco Agricultural Institute (YAI) as part of a tour of the area. 

During most months of the year, Mr and Mrs Hurley undertake a four-day rural visit throughout the state. 

“We do a mixed program over those four days looking at different areas, groups and people,” he said. 

The pair started off in Griffith, visiting with a disability support organisation and a Murray Cod farm before heading to Hay for the weekend. 

They attended the Hay races, met with a women’s group, as well as another organisation which works in the area of suicide prevention. 

During his visit to the YAI, Mr Hurley learned about what the scientists have been up to and had the opportunity to see how several of their programs are working and developing. 

“On the agricultural side one of my themes is supporting rural and regional sustainability, what’s happening in those areas, looking at what’s happening at innovation,” Mr Hurley said. 

“So at Yanco we’re looking mostly at the rice area and what’s happening there, as well as the Tocal campus there.”

Mr Hurley also met privately with several farmers and how they are coping with the drought. 

He also spent time at the Narrandera Men’s Shed and high school. 

While Mr Hurley doesn’t have any say in policy makers, he can make his thoughts and opinions known to those who have a vote in these areas back at Parliament House in Sydney. 

“It’s interesting because the Governor isn’t a policy maker nor do I have a bag of gold, but I observe and from my discussions I draw conclusions and I’ll chat with ministers about what I’ve seen,” he said. 

“The Governor doesn’t have an agenda other than to support the people of NSW. 

“So when I talk to ministers I let them know what I’ve seen, make them aware of issues they might not have heard about.

“For them it’s another pair of eyes.”

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