Deb Campbell
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IT IS AN optimistic campaign that launches outdoors in August in Victoria, but that optimism paid off for Alex Dyson. The sun shone and the people came.
Alex Dyson – podcaster, author, MC and business owner – launched his third campaign for the Victorian federal seat of Wannon on Saturday, 23 August in his hometown of Warrnambool.
The Campaign Kick Off caught the mood of young and old[er] locals and those from the far reaches of this huge south west Victorian electorate. Wannon stretches eastward from the South Australian border to the outskirts of Geelong, from the Grampians in the north to the Great Ocean Road coastline – and now welcomes the Moriac and Inverleigh communities.
The Kick Off celebrated Gunditjmara culture and history as we were welcomed by Brett Clarke. Newly appointed Campaign Chair Mary Coverdale spoke of the reasons she has engaged with politics and with Alex’s campaign as her time as Principal of Warrnambool College ends:
‘I’ve never been involved in politics before because I didn’t think I had to be,’ she said. ‘I’ve realised over time that the trust you put in politicians over the last few years has been eroded.
Ms Coverdale said there was a time when politicians looked to and served the people:
‘Right now, we’ve got politicians serving their parties and that’s what’s got to change.
The federal Member for Goldstein and former ABC foreign correspondent Zoe Daniel lent her support to the campaign. Ms Daniel said that she had been a life-long swinging voter, but she was no longer convinced that either major party could help her.
Ms Daniel explained that the Community Independents approach was not combative nor ideological. Instead, it was about having serious conversations about solving community problems.
Of the divisive leadership strategies now being used in Australia and internationally, Ms Daniel said:
‘I have seen Trump in action. There have to be alternatives.’
Ms. Daniel said that she has found that reasoned conversations between voters and their political representatives help to provide evidence for problem-solving.
We provide social licence’, she said. ‘That is what Alex is trying to do here now, build trust.’
‘People really are looking for that accountability, integrity, literally “keeping the bastards honest” approach and that’s what the crossbench has been doing.’
Alex then thanked everyone for their support and – noting the beginnings of his political ambitions for climate action and people centred politics – mentioned several of his old teachers were in the crowd, including Mr Ryan “who taught us about the ozone layer” and Mrs Nelson “who took her class to Canberra to visit Parliament”.
‘It is the voices of all of you that I want to elevate by representing you as an Independent: the real voices of the real people in the many communities throughout Wannon.
I want to hear today and for the next four months from you all. I want to learn what you need and what you want to see for Wannon.’
Australian singer-songwriter Didirri, a fellow former Warrnambool college student lent his support with his songs.
And then it was time for a group photo.
A word from Alex:
Another word from Alex:
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Election 2022 articles by Deb Campbell:
Alex Dyson makes Wannon marginal: Deb Campbell’s #WannonVotes wrap
The young people’s campaign by Alex Dyson in #WannonVotes
What #WannonVotes wants: seeking a community minded candidate, dancing optional
More from Election 2022 Wannon:
Anything could happen today in Dyson’s #WannonVotes, it’s anyone’s guess
UPDATE: Rural Victorian #IndependentsDay electorates that can give Morrison curry
PODCAST: Alex Dyson’s “sick of the politics of politics” taking priority over #WannonVotes community
