THE bipartisan efforts of two former state government politicians to secure critical road funding for Young shire was recognised this week with the formal opening of the Armstrong Scully Drive between Murringo and Boorowa.

The former Labor Government Roads Minister Carl Scully and former National Member for Lachlan Ian Armstrong reached across the political divide to secured special funds to complete the road seal, and joined up again this week to unveil a plaque recognising their joint role.

This allocation resulted in a direct sealed link to the Hume Highway and was attributed by Mayor of Young Stuart Freudenstein as being an important factor in Young’s outstanding growth in recent years.

A small group of dignitaries witness the unusual sight of the former politicians unveil a plaque affixed to a rock to mark the occasion, then drive the Armstrong Scully Drive before retiring to the Murringo Hall for home baked refreshments.

Ian Armstrong said the naming of the section of roadway marked two first in his lifetime.

“It is the first time a road has been named after me and the first time my name appears on a plaque linked with a member of the opposition,” he said.

He also paid tribute to Deputy Mayor John McGregor, who sang the national anthem at the roadside ceremony and whose lobbying, together with the mayor of the day Tony Hewson, played a role in the successful outcome.

“I must praise John McGregor, he’s a horse trainer and there were times I felt like the horse and he was the jockey,” Mr Armstrong joked.

Former roads minister Carl Scully described the naming of the drive as one of the nicest things that had been done for him both during and after his period in politics. He thanked Young Shire Council and the people of the Young district.

He said politicians normally faced a barrage of criticism, but this was an exception. “ It was just pure and simple a thank you for what you did for this community...it was a wonderful day.”

Mr Scully plans to bring his as yet unborn grandchildren back to the spot some day.

“It is fitting that the shire generously recognised how these two state politicians made a commitment to a small community,” said Member for Hume Alby Schultz, who attended along with RTA representative Craig Moran, Member for Burrinjuck Katrina Hodgkinson, former Young mayor Gerry Bailey and general manager Peter Vlatko.