ELECTION HOPEFULS: Orange City Council candidates Dave Shearing, Scott Munro, Rob Williamson, Troy Sweeting, Gail Copping, Richard Eggleston, Aaron Wright, Russell Turner, Dick Niven, Michael Gray, Paul Blunden, Jan Savage, Neil Jones, Brian Wood, Sarah Buckingham, John Da Rin, Justeene Cleary, Sam Romano, Ron Gander, Derek Johns and Ash Brown. Photo: STEVE GOSCH 0907sgcouncil
WEEKS of walking the campaign trail will come to an end today for the 45 candidates contesting a seat on Orange City Council when voters go to the polls to elect their new council.
A group of candidates took time out from the hustings to catch up with the Central Western Daily yesterday afternoon to pass on their secrets for election success.
Letterbox drops with how-to-vote cards seemed to be the order of the day for most candidates.
Campaigning at the returning office during pre-polling also proved to be a popular tactic as did the grassroots politics of meeting voters face to face to spread the word.
Rob Williamson said he had notched up about 30 kilometres delivering flyers to mailboxes and had also turned to advertising to spread his election message.
Russell Turner used similar tactics and spent time pounding the pavement.
“I’ve been wandering around the street just saying hello to people,” he said.
“It’s great to hear the support and people just saying, ‘Good on you, we need a change’.”
For first-time candidates Ron Gander and Brian Wood the hustings had been a learning curve.
“They’ve been long days ... we’re all beginners so we’re working pretty hard,” Mr Gander said.
Mr Wood said members of his group had hit the streets to meet voters, while he had spent the day making signs.
Jan Savage said it was important for candidates to find out what people’s needs were because councillors had to listen to the community.
Neil Jones agreed and said he hoped the Greens team would be able to connect with young people and families.
Aaron Wright focused his attention on business owners in the central business district as well as letterbox drops.
Troy Sweeting and Derek Johns used social media to reach out to voters.
“You can reach a different audience,” Mr Sweeting said.
Fifth-time election hopeful Gail Copping said her campaign had been 15 years in the making.
“My motto is never give up,” she said.
“If I get in it’s going to be a bonus.”
Sam Romano said he was happy to hear most people say they would vote below the line for individual candidates instead of above the line for a group.
“That’s a great choice, because it’s their choice,” he said.
clare.colley@ruralpress.com
