WAGGA WAGGA

Emilie was a co-founder of Voices 4 Riverina, a group committed to making sure every individual is heard. She believes that when people come together to advocate for the greater good and actively participate in politics and governance, it creates lasting benefits for families, communities, and the nation- “somewhere inside all of us lies the power to change the world.”

A pharmacist and mother, Emilie has called the Riverina region home for over 20 years, with Wagga Wagga as her primary base. In her spare time, she enjoys gardening and spending time with her family and friends.

YASS

Alex has lived in the Yass Valley for over twenty years.  He was born in Argentina and migrated to Australia in 1973. He has been married to Jacquie for forty years and has three daughters and three granddaughters.

His background is in policy, strategy and planning. In recent years he has focused on working with not-for profits, particularly in the aged care and health portfolios, assisting them with policy, advocacy, and political engagement. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce, (commonly known as the RSA)

Alex has worked in two previous independent campaigns and is committed to working at the local level to ensure that his children and grandchildren have a sustainable future.

In his spare time, he is a broadcaster with YassFM, plays electric guitar, manages his beehives, makes cheese, and bakes bread.

WAGGA WAGGA

Trudi challenges herself to be politically engaged and enjoyed being a founding member of Voices 4 Riverina. Through this process she concluded that the everyday citizen has the power to participate in system change and she looks forward to continuing this work with Together for Riverina. In her roles as both a doctor and a mum she interacts frequently with systems such as healthcare and education and believes that these systems can only be strengthened by the community's engagement in democracy. She looks forward to supporting a community-led process to select a candidate to run in the next Federal election, but beyond that be part of a group that advocates for widespread political engagement. When not working in her practice or chasing kids around the Riverina for sporting events, Trudi can be found attacking a never ending list of jobs on their farm near Wagga.

COOTAMUNDRA

James believes that good decisions arise from good processes that allow all voices to be heard. This requires us all to speak up, and to listen. Working together, we have the capacity to face up to, and address the challenges in front of us.  

James trained as a facilitator and has spent over 20 years helping groups work together to achieve their vision. He has helped to establish collaborative decision-making processes in the youth, education, environment and local government sectors. His passions led to him helping to start Voices4Cowper when he lived in Coffs Harbour and he’s excited to find a group of like-minded people here in Riverina.  

James is now a proud dad living in Cootamundra, where he enjoys the benefits of living in a small community, bushwalking and being able to grow a few veggies.  

WAGGA WAGGA

Fran came to Wagga Wagga in the late 1950s when her father came to work for the Agricultural Research Institute. Since its inception in July 2017, Fran has been Executive Officer of the Riverina Regional Training Hub, a Commonwealth program to encourage rural and regional medical study, training and careers.

She has significant experience in medical education and training and has been involved in supporting medical students, junior doctors and their teachers and mentors since 2002. Fran was Wagga Wagga’s first female President of the Wagga Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the foundation President of the Wagga Wagga Women in Business.

She continues to be a passionate advocate for services and opportunities for the Riverina Murrumbidgee region and not only in rural health.