I was brought up on the family farm at Jingalup, south-west of Kojonup, and went to school at Jingalup Primary and later Hale School, Perth.

I returned to the family farm after leaving school, and subsequently ran my own real estate business for 10 years and Elders Great Southern Area Real Estate for five years. I was the Great Southern cricket and football regional development officer for three years prior to my appointment as general manager with the WA Country Football League, a position I held for nine years before being elected to the State Parliament in 2001.

My sporting career includes playing League football and A Grade cricket in WA and SA. As Captain of the WA Country XI from 1980 to 1991, I played 21 matches against international cricket teams. I also captained the Australian Country XI from 1988 to 1990. I was the senior coach of the Kojonup Football League for six years and Central Great Southern Football League XVIII 1976-77.

I am a life member of the Kojonup Football Club, Kojonup Cricket Club and the Katanning Junior Football Council. In an administrative capacity, I have been the secretary/treasurer of the Australian Country Football Council since 1998, responsible for the organisation of the biennial Australian Country Football Carnivals.

I was elected as the Member for Wagin at the 2001 State General Election. For the past four years I have worked hard to represent the Wagin electorate strongly and effectively in State Parliament.

I was elected to deputy leader of The Nationals in 2001 and appointed The Nationals spokesman for Education and Timber. I have served on the Delegated Legislation Committee since 2001. When the Coalition in Opposition agreement was reached between The Nationals and Liberal Party in May 2004, I was appointed Shadow Minister for Sport and Recreation and Shadow Minister for Youth.

It has been an honour and privilege to have served the people of the Wagin electorate for the past four years and I am committed to:

• Working hard to give a strong and representative voice for the people of the Wagin electorate
• Fighting for equity for country Western Australia
• Ensuring our communities retain and gain health, education, police and other essential services
• Promoting sustainability for rural Western Australia through development, business, industry and tourism