Our guest speaker this week was Kevin Humphries, former NSW Minister for Mental Health and who represented the seat of Barwon for the National Party from 2007 to 2019. Kevin shared an overview of his journey from growing up and attending school at St Edwards Primary School in Tamworth. After completing his secondary education at Christian Brothers College in Sydney he obtained a Bachelor of Education. This led to a 20‑year career in education that included teaching roles in Walcha, Tamworth, Tasmania and Moree, and principalships in Boggabri and Moree. His Rotary Group Study Exchange experience in Scotland was a formative chapter before he later shifted into the cotton industry, running his own business in buying, selling and trading cotton for around six years.
Kevin spoke about his involvement in major regional projects, including assisting John Anderson with the planning and approvals for the AELEC in Tamworth and his projects subsequent as Minister for Natural Resources, Lands and Water. In 2006 he sought National Party preselection and was elected to Parliament in 2007. Before entering Cabinet, he served as Opposition spokesman for mental health, later becoming Australia’s first dedicated Minister for Mental Health with a focus on keeping people connected to community rather than isolated in hospital systems.
He emphasised that mental health outcomes are strongest when communities remain connected, supported and empowered. Kevin discussed the importance of directing funding back into regional areas for water, roads and health services, and shared observations from his time working with councils such as Brewarrina Shire, which operated with minimal debt and rarely sought additional funding. He reflected on the balance between risk and reward in government, noting that sometimes the best approach is to step back and allow communities to solve problems themselves.
Now retired in Tamworth, Kevin remains active in community service, including serving on the board of the Westpac Rescue Helicopter. During his talk he highlighted the value of “cornerstone people”, those who drive positive change and help maintain the culture of a community. His message reinforced that strong relationships, local leadership and staying connected are central to improving quality of life across regional NSW.
Thanks to James Hindmarsh for the notes.
