www.milduraweekly.com.au6 Mildura Weekly – 12/04/13

MILDURA’S Anne Webster believes she has what it takes to continue the National Party’s 20-plus year Federal representation of the Mallee region by being the “right voice for the people.”

Set to contest pre-selection for the Nationals in the Federal Seat of Mallee following the retirement of long-serving Member John Forrest, the former social worker, small busi-ness operator, researcher and mother of three believes she will bring the right mix of skills and perspective to the role.

Ms Webster, who moved to Mil-dura as a newlywed 35 years ago, said she was keen to give back to the re-gion where she and her husband had made their home and raised their family.

“I love the Mallee – it’s a wonder-ful place to work, live and enjoy life. I believe I have some valuable perspec-tives to offer in regards to what will be important to our region for the future,” she said.

“Being able to listen, understand and advocate for others has been fun-damental to my experience and edu-cation in social work, and I think it will be the crucial skill in being the parliamentary representative for Mal-lee.

“I am someone who sees an issue or a problem and does something about it, and I am not afraid to take on the big issues.”

Originally moving to the region as an 18-year-old, Ms Webster said she had originally thrown herself

into a number of community groups and initiatives in an effort to learn more about her new home.

“My husband (long-serving Mil-dura GP Phillip Webster), was work-ing a 96-hour week during those ear-ly days, and being new to the area I knew absolutely nobody, or anything about the region,” she said.

“I immediately gravitated toward Meals on Wheels and one of the local church groups, and put my hand up to get involved in as much as I could.

“It was something that gave me a real sense of community.”

Ms Webster went on to build an incredible business and community resume – including being the found-ing director of grassroots commu-nity development group Zoe Support Australia – which has established a house and childcare service in Mildu-ra, supporting pregnant women and new parents with a focus on getting them back into school.

She also boasts a PhD from the Australian National University of Canberra’s School of Sociology, while also holding the position of chair of the Mallee Accommodation and Support Program – a respected community organisation that tackles homelessness and the disadvantaged.

Ms Webster said her track record of lobbying for change would be an important factor should she earn the right to represent the Mallee.

“The Mallee has some important concerns...we are currently grappling with in farming, healthcare and fam-ilies, so whoever represents the Na-tional Party in the next election has a really big job ahead of them,” she said.

“I don’t have any preconceived ideas, but I do have a willingness to listen and understand, and I think that will be critical. I think for a long time there has been this perception that the Mallee is one of the safest National seats in the country.

“As a party we are under no illu-sions that we are going to have a fight on our hands – regardless of who earns the right to replace John.

“This is also an opportunity for the National Party people to ac-knowledge that our electorate and region is changing, and with change there is an opportunity to do things differently.

“I want to ensure that the issues, concerns, and most importantly, the achievements and contributions of this wonderful region are recog-nised.”

Anne wants to offer anew Mallee perspective

Annual horse show on Sunday

MILDURA Horse Complex will host its annual horse show this Sunday at the eques-trian complex next to Mildura Racecourse from 9am.

Horses will compete in a variety of disciplines in the six rings, embracing show-jump-ing, novelties, hacking, breed classes, Western and encour-agement.

Organisers have stressed that the encouragement ring will begin at 10am, not 9am as the program states.

Judges from SA and NSW, as well as local judges will put the horses through their paces, and award the many Champi-on and Supreme sashes.

Many local families and businesses, along with some well-known Australian en-terprises have supported the show with generous sponsor-ship, and organisers have pre-dicted a varied and interesting day, with quality entries from as far away as Strathalbyn, Broken Hill, Renmark and Swan Hill. Camping is avail-able on the grounds.

Classes are provided for beginners through to ad-vanced riders. Competitors can enter on the day, and lo-cal competitors have been en-couraged to participate. Spec-tators are also welcome, and catering will be provided.

Admission is $3 per per-son or $5 per car, with free admission for Mildura Horse Complex members. More in-formation is available from Hayley Willison on 0429 323 525.

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