"A rollercoaster of a ride!" Our new volunteer coordinator Sandra describes what it was like to be a volunteer with a succesful campaign

The Volunteer Rollercoaster

As a migrant, I am forever grateful that I can call Australia home. We arrived nearly thirty years ago. Having lived in undemocratic, badly governed places, I marveled at Australia’s robust democracy. But as time passed, I started to worry that we were taking our democracy for granted and, because we were not paying close attention, our democratic structures were being quietly eroded. Election time was always the same. As a migrant I didn’t have any family political allegiances to contend with, and I was free to think about which party would provide good government. But it became harder and harder each election to place my trust in the major political parties. I became disenchanted with mainstream politics and disengaged from it.

I was inspired when listening to Kathy McGowan recount Indi’s grassroots campaign. Their tactic struck a chord. So, in January 2022, when our son-in-law’s father mentioned, in passing, that there was an independent movement in our electorate of Curtin, I was in.

The ride begins

I registered as a volunteer with the Kate Chaney’s campaign in Curtin. I offered to help with education policy! I felt so sheepish sometime later when listening to a podcast about independent campaigns and how all volunteers offer to help with policy!
My local coordinator called me – how lovely to have a welcome call. It wasn’t long after that that I was asked to help with a leaflet drop. It surprises me now that I was anxious about getting out and being seen to have a political view, even in such a low keyway.
There was no need to worry. I enjoyed walking the streets of our neighbourhood; meeting residents and chatting to them about the things they cared about.
This was what democracy is about. Listening to your neighbours and understanding their concerns.

The ride speeds up

Then the call came to help Kate with door knocking. Whoa – that took a lot of courage, as I’m a shy introvert. However, I was soon hooked, and it wasn’t long before my husband joined me for the fun. Except for one person who lay on his couch and told me to …. off, the great majority of people were happy to speak with us, even if they had already decided how they would vote. Many were grateful that someone had taken the time to come and speak with them and tell them about Kate’s election platform. Most people were interested and wanted to engage and as if they also felt disengaged.
I also joined the phone campaign team. I clearly remember a call at about 7pm one evening. I had reached a Mum who was on her way out to a meeting. ‘Walk with me,’ she said, and I did, telling her about Kate’s campaign and answering her questions, as she shouted to someone to finish their homework and someone else to hang up the washing. By the time she reached her meeting, Kate had her vote.

The ride was always full

I was always in good company.
A young lad Derry, who had grown up in the electorate but who was living in Tasmania, delayed his planned cycling adventure to Europe, and instead cycled back to WA. Derry arranged all kinds of events, and I could never decline his enthusiastic requests for support and found myself standing with him and other young volunteers outside pubs, cafes or close to local markets. Another volunteer Wendy festooned her bicycle with Kate’s posters and aqua colours and rode all through the electorate. When Wendy asked if I would wave corflutes with her on Scarborough Beach Road, how could I refuse?

Our son-in-law’s father quickly become known as ‘Volli Brian’ and it was fun to see all the thanks on the various messaging apps to Volli Brian for his stellar work in delivering and installing corflutes throughout Curtin. Our son’s rental house was on the corner of a main junction on Scarborough Beach Road and he and his house mate agreed to have the largest possible corflute of Kate displayed on their front verge.
Kate’s smile was everywhere, but the corflutes required constant attention because of vandalism, some of which appeared to be well orchestrated. But there was always someone who could move quickly and remove or repair a damaged corflute.

The ride reaches its height

The committee organizing the election booths were passionate, committed and always across their brief. We all knew where we had to be, had the time to review our booth and plan how we stake the real estate. Signage was not allowed until 4pm and then game on election day.
At 5am we were up and on our way. Our booth was great fun and there was good comradery across all volunteers. People who I had spoken to at door knocking and at market stalls made sure to swing by and say hi. Spirits were high and the energy was positive. People were prepared to engage despite the different political persuasions.

Free-falling

As we made our way to Kate’s post-election party a call came through. The central team needed scrutineers at the AEC electoral office. Off we went wearing our Kate Chaney T-shirts only to find they weren’t allowed, and we had to scramble to cover up.
We watched the counting begin. I had faith in the AEC before I put up my hand to scrutineer but seeing them in action gave me even more confidence that we are in safe hands.
We watched the Labor preferences as they were reallocated to the Liberal party. What! That’s right, people had voted Labor 1, Liberal 2. It showed how successful the scare campaign had been about independents being a threat to stable government.

As I recall Anthony Green called Curtin for Kate on election night, Kate remained cautious, and this was wise – she knew it was too close to call. The result was on a knife’s edge as the votes from the electoral booths were counted. My husband went back each day to scrutineer, and I bit my nails. The postal votes arrived next in numbered boxes. Then Postal Box 8 was counted. Box 8. Glorious box 8 told us Kate had won.

I’m ready for the Voices for Forrest roller coaster

I now live in Margaret River, and I am getting behind the Voices for Forrest for the same reason I got behind Kate Chaney. I want good government and I have seen how the independents have already shifted things in the right direction. But we need more of this movement that reflects grassroots democracy in action.
Voices for Forrest is building and already has growing support. It’s not time yet for us to throw our energy into campaigning, but we need to become a vibrant, strong and large volunteer community. The stronger and larger we are, the more likely we are to find a strong candidate to represent our diverse and beautiful electorate. In this way, the candidate, if elected, will truly represents the interests of the Forrest community.

Join the ride! If you haven’t already signed up as a volunteer, I urge you to. It is fun. You meet great, passionate locals. You take part in a campaign that will bring much joy and excitement. There will be many different ways to help as well. Just strap yourself in!

Click here to sign up, or drop us an email: [email protected]