WHEN voters join queues across the Camden Haven on Saturday, 3 May, they’ll be taking part in a trifecta of political anniversaries.
These milestones are more akin to “fun facts”, yet each was a political game changer.
2025 marks 10 years since an electoral redistribution cleaved the local government area (LGA) in half; moving everyone north of Lake Innes into Cowper and leaving the Camden Haven and Wauchope in Lyne.
It is also 50 years since the Whitlam Government’s dismissal; when the Country Party became the National Country Party (“Country” was dropped in 1982); and when Dr Peter Simpson of Port Macquarie became the area’s first Independent federal candidate to pose a very real threat to the major parties.
Before 1975, federal elections in Lyne were typically a two-horse race between the Country Party and Labor.
While Dr Simpson didn’t win that year, records held by the Port Macquarie Museum show he recorded the “best effort by far of any Independent in the country”.
This year also marks the 125th anniversary of “The Hopetoun Blunder”, which saw the man after whom the electorate is named, Sir William Lyne, unwittingly invited to become Australia’s first Prime Minister.
Soon after returning from England in 1900, the country’s first Governor-General, the aristocrat John Hope, 7th Earl of Hopetoun, asked Lyne to lead an interim government through Federation.
It was an unpopular choice, including in the Colonial Secretary’s office in Westminster, London.
Although Lyne was the Premier of NSW, the most populous colony, Edmund Barton was the acknowledged leader of Federation.
Lyne failed to gain the support he needed so Lord Hopetoun appointed Barton to be Australia’s first Prime Minister from 1 January 1901. He was formally elected in May that year.
Lyne went on to serve in the first cabinet, with this electorate named in his honour in 1949.
Only six men have held the seat – five from the Country/National Party, plus the Independent Rob Oakeshott between 2008-2013.
It is considered a “safe” Nationals seat, however 10 candidates are hoping to replace retiring MP Dr David Gillespie.
Pre-polling ends Friday, 2 May, leaving election day voters to attend the following locations between 8am and 6pm.
While wheelchair access varies, all but one has “unimpeded, step-free access to the building” and access to a “virtual Auslan interpreter”.
See the AEC’s website at aec.gov.au/assistance/ for more detailed advice.
LYNE
Lake Cathie: Lake Cathie Public School, Wallum Drive. Hearing loop, accessible parking; wheelchair accessible.
Bonny Hills: Bonny Hills Community Hall, 31 Graham Street. Assisted wheelchair access..
North Haven: North Haven Public School, 670 Ocean Drive. Accessible parking; wheelchair accessible.
Laurieton: St Peter the Fisherman Church Hall, 421 Ocean Drive. Accessible parking; wheelchair accessible. Laurieton Public School, 49 Bold Street. Assisted wheelchair access.
Dunbogan: Jubilee Hall, The Boulevarde. Assisted wheelchair access.
Kew: Camden Haven High School, 7 Valley View Road. Accessible parking; wheelchair accessible.
Kendall: Kendall Community Centre, 19 Comboyne Street. Accessible parking; wheelchair accessible.
Lorne: Lorne Recreation Centre, 941 Stewarts River Road. Assisted wheelchair access.
Comboyne: Comboyne War Memorial Hall, 7-9 Comboyne Street. Accessible parking; assisted wheelchair access.
Hannam Vale: Hannam Vale Public School, 1159 Hannam Vale Road. This polling booth does not have unimpeded, step-free access to the building and is not wheelchair accessible.
Johns River: Johns River Community Hall, 54 Johns River Road. Alternative voting room; accessible parking; wheelchair accessible.
By Sue STEPHENSON
