Fidge follows family footsteps

THE Fidge name has been a household one in Geelong’s political landscape for decades, and a 41-year-old human resources manager is hoping to take the baton further.

Freya Fidge is representing the Liberal Party in its bid to gain the seat of Geelong for the first time since 1999.

Her candidacy comes 30 years since her father, Jim, served as the city’s mayor.

Ms Fidge’s grandfather, Roy, was also a mayor and long-serving councillor.

As the possibility of life in public office looms on the horizon, Ms Fidge said she was keen to follow in the steps of her forebears, who she said had maintained key values of integrity and respect during their time as councillors.

“Our values were that you grow up in a respectful environment — so you do things for other people, you don’t just put yourself first,” she said.

“I think we need to get back to basics; to do what’s right — that’s a big part of why I’m doing what I’m doing.

“What we hear in parliament Question Time, I find it quite surprising that it’s tolerated.

“If I’m successful, I want to maintain my own values and make sure I do what I can to make a difference.”

Raised locally, Ms Fidge attended the old Morongo Girls’ College, before completing her education at Geelong College.

She was only 10 when her father become Geelong’s mayor, but has vivid memories of the time.

The standout moment was the royal family’s tour of the city in 1988, where Ms Fidge had better access to the monarchs than most.

“I gave flowers to the Queen,” she said.

“I think my little sister was asked. She was too shy, so I got the gig.

“I think my feet got in the paper, in one of the photos. Dad has had them all laminated. So that was pretty exciting and it’s always a story to tell.”

In adult life, her professional career has involved stints in Melbourne, across regional Victoria and even overseas.

In 2009, she moved back to Geelong to work at Ford, before taking on a human resources role at Fonterra, where she still remains.

Ms Fidge’s first tilt at a public election came last year when she vied for a position on the City of Greater Geelong council.

She said the decision to run for public office came sometime in 2015 or 2016.

Initially, Ms Fidge planned to contest the 2020 council elections, but that was expedited when the Geelong council was sacked and fresh elections held in 2017.

“I was working at Ford and I thought, OK, you’re turning 40 soon, what are you actually doing for the community?” she said.

“It’s all very well to have a good job and what have you. So we decided, right, 2020 will be the next council elections, so let’s work towards that.

“Then 2017 came around unexpectedly, but it was a great opportunity.

“It was one of those things: well, why not? If you don’t do it now, when will there be a good time?”

In what is shaping up as a three-cornered contest in Geelong, Ms Fidge said she believed she was well in the race to win the seat.

“I think the (Fidge) brand name probably helps,” she said.

“Dad is sort of known as being likeable. He’s fair. Pa was the same. And that’s what my campaign is about.

“That’s what I want people to see me as — someone who genuinely listens, wants to learn and doesn’t really want to play dirty.”