David knows the area well, and the priorities of the region.

"Since I moved here with my wife, Fay, in 1986 I have watched the proliferation of roads and services and a brand new hospital in Port Macquarie.

"Meanwhile, Myall Lakes residents have become victims of slashed State government expenditure on crucial services. This started when Port Macquarie voters made the electorate marginal. The politicians in Macquarie Street started to take notice of the town, and of the region.

"Just take a drive to Port Macquarie and you will see the difference a marginal seat will make."

He and Fay were drawn to the Mid North Coast because of its natural beauty. David entered a general practice in Taree and started work as a Visiting Medical Officer at Manning Hospital where he continues to practice in the fields of paediatrics and obstetrics.

Settling in Pampoolah, they raised two children, Mathew and Jessica. They grew up, completed their schooling in Taree and were active in the sporting and cultural community alongside their parents.

Dr Keegan moved to the electorate from Western Sydney, where he grew up in a family of six children. He was the first in his family to attend university.

Shortly after he started medical studies his parents moved to a farm outside Dubbo during tough drought years.

His father worked with the Commonwealth Employment Service and, through him, David began to develop insights into the fragile structure of industry and employment in rural areas.

He has first-hand experience in being part of the rural workforce, doing every kind of farm labouring job he could get during holidays to finance his studies. "I know how hard country students and their families have it, supporting a child studying away from home."

Enjoying an active involvement in soccer and tennis, as well as windsurfing on the Manning River, David works on his farm just outside Taree where he has 15 hectares of protected wetlands. He's also actively involved in the community - joining Apex when he moved to the area, and representing the area on the Hunter Rural Division of General Practice and the Medical Staff Council. He is a proud member of Rotary.

Dr Keegan stepped beyond medical practice in 2008 and successfully ran for a position on the Greater Taree City Council.

In council, David is a passionate supporter of services for all members of the community and is chair of the Manning Social Development Committee addressing the need for affordable housing, community transport and fighting cuts to youth, aging and disability services.