A snow chair lift accident has left local newspaper publisher and former Labor politician Noel Lowry in a critical condition in hospital in Japan.
Mr Lowry was in Japan for a snow ski holiday when the accident happened. He is currently in the ICU in the Japanese city of Nagano.
His partner, Lee Abrahams, the editor of the District Reporter, a printed newspaper serving parts of the region, has rushed to Nagano to be by his side. Mr Lowry is the sales manager of the paper, which he founded a few years ago.
He also served one term on Wollondilly Council between 2016 and 2021.
In 1996, he ran as the Labor candidate for Macarthur and lost to former NSW Premier John Fahey.
A report at the time stated that “Labor has dumped its sitting left-wing member, Chris Haviland, for local businessman Noel Lowry, a right winger, in its bid to hold the seat against Liberal candidate John Fahey’’.
Currently, Mr Lowry is employed as an electorate officer for the independent state MP for Wollondilly, Judy Hannan at her Tahmoor office.
The MP has posted on social media asking for support for a fund raising initiative to help Mr Lowry’s family.
“Costs for Noel and his family are quickly mounting, particularly with him being so badly injured overseas,’’ Ms Hannan wrote.
“His accident has not only put Noel in a serious situation, it has had an enormous impact on everyone in the family.
“In Wollondilly, we always look out for one another. If you can spare a few dollars to help someone who has contributed so much to our community, during their time of need, it would be greatly appreciated.’’
The fund raiser states that it has been established by a group of Noel’s friends, with The Oaks resident Louise Davies named as the organiser of the Gofundme page.
If you’d like to donate, visit the page here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/noel-lowry
