Pink independent hits gas on Bellarine campaign

INDEPENDENT Bellarine candidate Sarah Fenton will officially launch her state election campaign tonight (Friday, November 4) as she continues a grassroots push to unseat major parties at this month’s poll.

Portarlington Road winery Bennetts on Bellarine will host the launch for supporters and community members to learn more about the small business owner and community group leader’s advocacy to date and key policy platforms ahead of the November 26 vote.

Ms Fenton’s community outreach so far has included weekly Friday morning listening posts at Wallington’s Ket Baker and “happy hour pub chats” at venues across the electorate on Friday evenings.

She said the events had been well attended in recent weeks and she was encouraged with the support for her campaign across the Bellarine.

“I didn’t realise how many people know me from before the campaign because of Bellarine Smokehouse and Salty Bitches.

“I can’t go out and promise the world… what I can do is promise what I’ll stand for and push for as an independent

“It’s about complete transparency and honesty, calling a spade a spade, being able to say this is what I stand for.

“If not me, then I can’t stand on the sidelines anymore and complain, I have to do something about it.”

The independent election push has included creative cash-sourcing efforts – including entering $5,000 pub raffles – while there will be a joint fundraiser with Feed Me Bellarine on November 11 aimed at attracting $5,000 to be split evenly between the campaign and food charity.

While Ms Fenton concedes she cannot compete with the barrage of funding commitments pledged by the major parties during the election campaign, she was confident her campaign platform was resonating with community members.

“I have no problem telling people that I get no funding – I put $10,000 in myself, I raised $10,000 and I’m looking to raise $10,000 more.

“There’s people saying that you are the little person that could – it’s a David-versus-Goliath battle and we want to be part of it

“A lot of people are pissed off at the overdevelopment down here, the lack of infrastructure, lack of public transport, the housing crisis.”