The political and local community in New South Wales has been deeply shaken by the sudden passing of Anna Anderson, the wife of prominent state politician Kevin Anderson. The Shadow Tourism Minister and Deputy Leader of the NSW Nationals has announced he will step back from his public duties to grieve.
Political Figure Steps Back Following Family Tragedy
Kevin Anderson shared a public statement on Monday, confirming he would cancel all commitments for the upcoming 2026 Tamworth Country Music Festival. He cited an "unforeseen and tragic family loss" as the reason for his withdrawal. The politician expressed profound gratitude for the understanding and support shown to his family during this immensely difficult time.
A Pillar of the Tamworth Community Remembered
Anna Anderson, a respected pharmacist and mother-of-three, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday. She had been a dedicated healthcare professional for nearly four decades, deeply embedded in the fabric of the Tamworth community in northern NSW.
For over twenty years, she co-owned a pharmacy on Peel Street, previously known as Blooms Pharmacy and now called Karen Carter Pharmacy. Her former business partner and university friend, Karen Carter, described Anna's death as an "absolute shock," noting that both customers and staff were devastated by the loss.
"She had a fantastic sense of humour," Ms Carter told the Northern Daily Leader, recalling their time studying together at The University of Sydney, where Anna earned her Bachelor of Pharmacy and Diploma of Hospital Pharmacy. Before returning to Tamworth, Anna Anderson worked in the regional towns of Quirindi and Moree, driven by a genuine love for working in the country.
Outpouring of Grief and Respect
Another former business partner, Bill Handley, remembered Mrs Anderson as a "very friendly and quite bubbly" person and a "very hard worker." The Anderson family confirmed her passing in a statement on Thursday, describing Anna as "our much-loved" and noting they were "devastated by this loss."
The family statement highlighted how Anna was "deeply loved by many within the community and across the region," and acknowledged the immense wave of support as a testament to how cherished she was. The family has respectfully requested privacy as they navigate their grief.
Kevin Anderson's decision to temporarily withdraw from his political role underscores the profound personal impact of the tragedy, as the community he serves joins him in mourning a beloved local figure.
