COLE FIRE BURNING BRIGHTLY
HE may not win South Barwon at Saturday’s state election, but a tradie candidate says it is unlikely to spell the end of his time in public life.
Jan Juc resident Damien Cole (right) has thrown his hat in the ring as an independent for the statewide vote on November 24.
Running on a shoestring campaign budget, Mr Cole has the backing of the Greater Torquay Alliance, a lobby group representing 10 associations and hundreds of locals.
He is adamant he is running to win, but has not ruled out contesting other elections in the future, including for Surf Coast Shire.
“This experience is spurring me on to continue being a leader in the community,” Mr Cole said.
“Whether that’s through activism, an NGO or the political system, I don’t know.
“But I’m not going to define myself as a politician. For me, if the community keeps saying you’re doing a good job … I’ll keep going.”
Throughout the campaign, the Deakin University student has focused heavily on environmental issues on the Surf Coast, including the controversial housing development planned for Spring Creek.
He has not been afraid to call out rival candidates at preelection debates and believes he is gaining traction among voters.
“The amount of support that I have had from people all over — this momentum has just been building and building,” Mr Cole said. “It’s not so much an election campaign as a grassroots movement.
“I’m aiming to win. Yeah, it’s challenging against the big parties, but I think this whole election has made me realise how much dissatisfaction there is with the two parties.
“It’s actually not that hard to take votes away from the Liberals and Labor, because people are seeing there is another option.”
Prior to announcing his candidacy, Mr Cole worked in various roles including as a labourer, and as an English teacher in Japan.
He is on the committee of the Greater Torquay Alliance.