Independent for Mayo
Well, reinforcements arrived to help put up the new corflutes, but they didn’t know we had had such good rain in August and were quickly bogged by the roadside.
We had many cheery toots and waves but when it was obvious we were stuck, a couple stopped and helped to pull us out. Go Mayo!
August 30: It was cold and it was windy and it rained but nothing could stop Di and Nick as they punched holes in the new corflutes and wrapped them around poles in Mt Barker.
Team Di was there to help and we all walked the three blocks from Millie’s Bakery to the prepolling booth. Nick and Di shook hands and listened to the electors. Channel 7 and Channel 2 captured the moments. Nick will be back to help on September 6.
Today the tortoise ute had a grand time at the Lobethal markets and bakery before heading off to Williamstown via Birdwood, Mt Pleasant, Chain of Ponds and Gumeracha. Di and her team saw Warren Reservoir, South Para Reservoir and the upper reaches of the Torrens and filed a few photographs.
After a visit to the Academy in Hanhdorf, Di met up with her team in Verdun for a meal and good talk.
The new corflutes have arrived and will start going up on Saturday morning in Mt Barker. Watch for Nick and Di.
The campaign ute found a prominent place outside the Stirling Library and as always attracted attention and increasing recognition that Di Bell and her team would soon be seen talking to electors.
The 10.00am-noon session in the Library was lively and informative for all parties. Locals brought specific questions about the crisis facing Mayo to Di Bell while they had a cuppa and some delicious sandwiches and cakes from Millie’s.
The general state of the River Murray is on the top of people’s list of concerns as Mayo electors. Interestingly, the proposed weir below Wellington was also raised. Di explained that we are waiting for the EIS to be released for public comment and pointed out that the recent rain was already having a positive impact on the environment. Di encouraged those present with her statement, “Don’t give up on the lakes and River yet.” The message that we can solve the problem by acting was reassuring.
Off to Aldgate for a pub lunch, the best roasted capsicum soup and an opportunity to check out the local stores. Electors have warmed to Di’s friendly manner and seek her out for conversations on a range of matters.
Across to “The Hut Community Centre” that has been serving the community since 1979. The elders of Aldgate, many still living in their family homes, are in desperate need of better transport. While the youth of Aldgate need programs tailored to their needs. Listening to the locals will be part of creating viable and vibrant programs for the Hills.
Di Bell and artist Jude Crabtree analyse the campaign badges.
“Did you see the Courier today?” asks a passer-by. “They reckon Di could win.”
Xenophon entry could make Mayo election a close call - The Courier
There was water flowing under the low water crossing at Finniss today. There were frogs, at least three different ones, calling from the rushes.
This was a day spent coordinating media. An early call from The Australian was followed with a photo shoot of newly emerging plants through the acid sulphate soils on the edge of Lake Alexandrina at Point Sturt. This gentle sign of nature regenerating life in hostile conditions is an important message to us all ─ support the small and fragile movement back to health in the environment.
There have been around 170 mls of rain in the past few months and this is enough to dilute the effects of the acid sulphate on the edge of the lake. This is new science and new knowledge as these areas around the lake edge have not been exposed to air for this long before. The locals who live close to this lake keep a close eye on any sign of regeneration.
Sunday saw a much anticipated debate at the Strathalbyn Hall. Andrew Castrique, Democrats, hosted this forum to give the public a chance to hear from the candidates. Lynton Vonow (Greens), Andrew Castrique (Democrat), Jamie Briggs (Liberal), David McCabe (DLP), Bob Day (Family First), Bill Spragg (Independent) and Independent Di Bell, showed up to give an account of their policies in three minutes, followed by questions from the floor. Continue reading ‘August 24: Serious business’
Di and her team were out in the campaign ute at the markets and were getting a very positive message about the role of an Independent in this election. We talked to local people and others from outside the electorate. There is definitely a sense that we are moving into a new era in Australian politics.
Down at Victa in the afternoon we met with locals and visitors who once again were united in their concern about the River and expressed their disenchantment with existing parties.
In the evening, Di’s group of local supporters gathered at Sails restaurant at Clayton for a cocktail party to cheer her on and put some dollars into the campaign bin. The party fare was fantastic: an endless supply of delicious finger food and the local wine. It was a breather from the fast pace of the past three weeks since the campaign really started running. Continue reading ‘August 23: Party time’
Di and her helpers were hard at it with administrative tasks. Running for office as an Independent requires that the team pause every now and then to make sure all our schedules co-ordinated. And there are those corflutes that have to be secured to those stobie poles. Looking good.
