New voices heard in Nicholls

A movement is brewing in the federal seat of Nicholls — and it's taking notes from the neighbouring electorate of Indi.

More than 100 community members and interested parties convened online on Thursday, July 22, for the launch of Voices for Nicholls, a "community-minded" group aimed at encouraging democratic participation in the region.

Community movement Voices for Indi eventually led to the election of independent candidate Cathy Mcgowan to Federal Parliament in 2013, the first time the seat was wrangled from a conservative since 1931. “We'd taken so many people who were cynical and disillusioned in politics . . . and gave them a chance to make it better,” she said.

Members of the group are diverse — ranging from teacher Rob Steer to GV Hearing Clinic executive manager and chartered accountant Sarah Thompson.

“Voices for Nicholls isn't about telling people what to think or who to vote for, it's about encouraging people to get active in our democracy,” Mr Steer said.

“It's about amplifying our collective voice and holding representatives accountable to our electorate.”

The next step for Voices for Nicholls is a series of Kitchen Table conversations working through key issues and community demands.