Another week closer to the election, and the candidates have been hard at it again.
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As season's go, this is a pretty good time to be a candidate. The weather is good and there are stacks of local events locally for candidates to attend... things like the Blues Festival, Crookwell Show, Goulburn Rodeo etc.
These are great opportunities for the candidates to get their posters, corflutes and tshirts out, and to meet and interact with voters. A good impression or chat can be enough to swing a vote, and voters are quick to share their experiences, good and bad, with friends.
You've probably seen a lot of signage out and about as well. Visibility is paramount this close to the election. In Goulburn (the city) Ursula Stephens (ALP) is possibly most prominent with one of the the biggest building signages ever seen in these parts on her campaign office, and seemingly a fleet of cars and trucks with her signage on the side.
Adrian Van Der Byl (CDP) also has a pretty shmick campaign vehicle - a first for the CDP locally - that you can see around the traps, on top of a bunch of front yard signs at houses around Goulburn.
There are probably many others in Goulburn I haven't seen, and of course many in other towns in the electorate. If you spot some, let us know where they are with a pic - maybe on twitter or instagram, using #GoulburnVotes.
One of the main obstacles facing Pru Goward's challengers is the level of name recognition she already enjoys. She was well known nationally as an advisor to John Howard before winning the seat of Goulburn, and now has eight years as a local member, much of that as a minister, under her belt as well.
Mind you, name recognition isn't always a bonus. Peter Slipper and Rob Oakeshott had name recognition. It CAN, on some occasions, count against you, but for those who aren't passionate politically, the presence of a known name on the ticket may be enough to get a tick.
The other candidates don't enjoy the same level of recognition. Even Ursula Stephens, who was a senator for 12 years, isn't as well known - particularly as you get further away from the Big Merino. And the role of a senator (or for that matter Ursula's specific accomplishments in that role) may not be as widely understood as those of the current member.
For the challengers, getting seen, getting known, letting people know what you've done and letting them know what you intend to do isd a major part of the job before them.
As to what the candidates have been up to... we didn't receive as much detail this week, but what we did receive appears below (in the order received). There's also a social media section below that, primarily from twitter, instagram and youtube, plus photos and captions we received from candidates in the gallery above.
Iain Fyfe (Greens)
- Wednesday Feb 18: Attending Unions NSW candidates event Goulburn
- Friday Feb 20: Goulburn Campaign Launch
- Saturday Feb 21: Yass Street Stall in Comur Street, Doorknocking, Campaign Launch
- Sunday Feb 22: Gunning Show
Pru Goward (Liberal Party)
- Saturday Feb 7: Village visits to Gunning, Crookwell, Binda, Laggan and Grabben Gullen. Great lunch at the Grabben Gullen Pub – The Albion Hotel. A great reception was held for me by Wentworth and Annette Hill at The Stables.
- Sunday Feb 8: Campaign Briefing on Sunday morning with Premier Mike Baird. Lots of doorknocking and telephoning around the region.
- Wednesday Feb 11: Attended the opening of the Paul Paviour recital hall at the GRC.
- Thursday Feb 12: Hosted the NDIS information session for service providers held at the Goulburn Soldiers club. Over 90 attendees – including Minister for Ageing and Disability John Ajaka, NDIA David Bowen and ADHC Deputy Chief Executive. Visited Goulburn’s ADHC office with Minister Ajaka to meet with staff, tour the facility and discuss their concerns. Thursday evening - visited Burrawang with Gareth Ward, Member for Kiama.
- Friday Feb 13: Evening at Grabben Gullen
- Saturday Feb 14: Mmorning at the Markets in Montague St and then out to Crookwell Show
- Sunday Feb 15: Yass Village Visit
Wal Ashton (Outdoor Recreation Party)
- Wednesday Feb 18: Fire Brigade meeting
Ursula Stephens (Labor Party)
- Saturday Feb 7: Goulburn for Blues Festival and Market stall; opening of Merrick Fry exhibition at Art Gallery; Mass in Yass; Yass film night.
- Sunday Feb 8: Goulburn for Blues Festival and market stall.
- Monday Feb 9: Doorknocking in Southern Highlands; Media and meetings in Moss Vales and Robertson
- Tuesday Feb 10: Doorknocking
- Wednesday Feb 11: Doorknocking
- Thursday Feb 12: Business meetings; NDIS information Session Goulburn
- Friday Feb 13: Meetings and doorknocking in Boorowa.
- Saturday Feb 14: Crookwell Show