Welcome to another new Q&A series around the core theme of encouraging people to lean more into our democracy by becoming more politically engaged.
‘Let’s Get Political’ will feature women who actively participate in our democracy, where we’ll ask what started their participation and what they actually do.
We’ll feature women from all over the country who are rolling up their sleeves, getting involved in politics and making a difference in their own way.
For the first in this new Let’s Get Political Q&A series – I thought I’d start local and share the journey of someone in my own northern Sydney community who I’ve come to know and greatly admire.
I first met Dawn Nicholas through her involvement in the 2022 federal election where she volunteered with Jane Caro’s campaign for the Senate. Prior to this she had a casual interest in politics. Just over three years later she’s been actively involved in three election campaigns and one referendum. That’s a lot – and it’s so impressive!
Let’s hear from Dawn where she shares her inspirational journey to ‘get political’…
Thanks for joining us Dawn – First please tell us about the “aha!” moment that ignited your interest to get political? What first motivated you?
My ‘aha’ moment was when a person I admire, Jane Caro announced that she was going to stand for a seat in the senate in the 2022 federal election.
I did not follow politics or understand it completely and then bingo – here was someone I could follow and it motivated me to learn more about the political system.
How did you take the all important first step?
My first step was to sign up as a volunteer on Jane Caro’s campaign. I knew nothing about political campaigns and didn’t have any friends involved in campaigns, let alone any interest in politics to consult, however I didn’t have to be concerned. The campaign was well organised, you worked in teams and there was plenty of support available and the candidate involved herself in the activities wherever possible.
Looking back, it was a great first campaign to start with because we were working at grassroots level, there was no pressure and everyone was relaxed and giving it a go while maintaining a healthy sense of humour. It was fun.
It was also the federal campaign when community independents were standing and it was exciting to witness the ground swell developing at that time.
What have you done? Tell us about your political journey.
The journey continued after the 2022 federal campaign. I got involved with a community group in my area that kept the community informed of issues and concerns in local electorates and how they were being addressed by the local representatives. This led me to participate in further campaigns. I managed the volunteer base in my allocated area organising campaign activities such as handing out flyers, door knocking, coffee mornings, team meetings and polling booth shifts.
In the last three years I have been involved in four campaigns — three political and one referendum.
Sadly only one win, however they were all wins for me because with each campaign a base was developed for future success. And on a personal note, it opened my world, I could no longer just be a spectator.
What do you do now to ‘get political’?
I keep politically informed by subscribing to newsletters from my federal MPs office and from community groups and I seek out independent media for unbiased reporting on politics.
I remain friends with people from the campaigns where between campaigns we have formed a weekly ‘Democracy Walks’ walking group (see image) where we walk ‘n’ talk politics followed by coffee.
Why do you think it’s important to engage in politics and in our democracy?
It is important because it affects our daily lives and impacts our future and those of our children. It is an opportunity to have some control over how politics works for us rather than accepting what comes our way.
I have heard in my circles and particularly in younger circles they are not interested in politics. However, whenever I draw the line between their concerns and what happens at the ballot box they listen and are interested in exploring it further.
Please share a highlight you’ve experienced while getting political? What’s an event that stands out to you?
The highlights were the campaigns, being able to utilise my skills from my professional career for a cause I believed in, I found it very rewarding and motivating. I could draw on my experience with managing projects including managing teams, timelines, training and maintaining regular communications.
What’s something unexpected you’ve experienced when getting involved in politics?
I didn’t expect to make so many friends along the way. The community independents campaigns bring out good people from the local community and enduring friendships are formed.
I also didn’t know there is so much to learn about the political system, it is not until you get close you realise how much there is to uncover.
Now that you are political, what’s your overall view of the political landscape – and what weren’t you expecting?
My overall view is concern about the swing to the far right sweeping across the globe and what comes with that – ditching climate action targets, dropping regulations on environmental care and establishing authoritarianism, to name a few.
I am confident the situation here will be different for a while because our political institutions make it harder, e.g. compulsory voting, independent Australian Electoral Commission, growing independent media. It is these institutions that enabled the community independent movement, which provides an outlet for voters to address issues the established political parties have failed to adequately address for at least the last 20 years e.g. climate change, government integrity and women’s equality.
What I wasn’t expecting was how many community independents stood at the last federal election, around 37 nationwide. In the beginning I thought it was moving away from the mainstream and now it is viewed as the mainstream!
Please share advice for anyone thinking about ‘getting political’ – including a good first step to take?
My advice is to ask yourself what your burning issue is and look around for a local group to learn more about it and how to get involved.
A good first step is volunteering and possibly use your skills to support the cause or learn new ones. Democracy (and politics) is not a spectator sport.
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Thank you, Dawn, for sharing your truly inspiring story. Your journey shows us that getting involved in politics is not only possible but also deeply rewarding, proving that democracy is not a spectator sport.
Now – how will you get political?
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