Community
6 February, 2025
Dyson launches hub
INDEPENDENT candidate for Wannon Alex Dyson drew a crowd for the opening of a new community hub in Terang last week.
The new community hub opened last Friday at 67 High Street, one of the shopfronts at the Commercial Hotel, with more than 50 people in attendance to ask questions or offer their support in his campaign for a historic victory at the 2025 election.
Speaking with Western District Newspapers, Mr Dyson said he was thankful for the space – which Commercial Hotel proprietor Les Cameron had donated for use and will be volunteer-run.
“It was really community-led, which is what our campaign has been,” he said.
“People have been wanting to help in whatever way they can – sometimes that’s knocking on doors, sometimes it’s putting up a yard time, and sometimes it’s offering a nice little space in town so community members can come and ask questions and meet our volunteers.
“It’s looking an absolute treat.”
Mr Dyson said he was “feeling so positive” to see the continued support for his campaign, which was gaining momentum he attributed to supporters feeling he had a legitimate shot at earning election.
“I think everyone is buoyed by the fact we’ve got what has been a safe seat for 70 years down to a marginal percentage – at just four per cent,” he said.
“We’re in an area where a real difference can be made, so this time around we’ve got so many people giving up their time, getting out and showing their support for an independent campaign which can cut through the political infighting we see, and the neglect that we feel when we’re out on the roads or try to book a doctor’s appointment.
“It’s been really heartening, and the joy in the room is something you can feel permeating.”
The Terang community hub becomes the fifth Mr Dyson has established, with others in Hamilton, Colac, Warrnambool – in addition to a sixth which will soon be launched in Ararat.
He said the spaces provided an opportunity to learn more about the wants each community, which are proving to be as diverse as the electorate itself.
“It’s always going to be different because people’s needs are different each time around,” he said.
“In 2022, housing was a really big concern around the area.
“This year, how dire the lack of available childcare has gotten is something a lot of people have talked to me about – not just the waitlists, but the expense of it.
“Just because we’re in the regions, we don’t have the same level of access as other Australians. It’s a shame.
“Terang, in particular, aged care is a real concern – people want to be able to age close to home, close to their families, and the fact that isn’t something that can always happen around here is something I want to make inroads on if we’re elected.”
Mr Dyson said he had held discussions with Terang Aged Care Future steering committee chair Chris O’Connor, and indicated he will throw his support behind future plans.
“Chris gave me the background on what’s happening, and I’ve had some other meetings,” he said
“The fact is more needs to be done for those who are making the transition to that stage of their life.
“It’s borne out of those community consultations, so for a town like this it can be at the top of my priorities.”
Mr Dyson said he was cautiously optimistic for the election, due to be held later this year, following significant swings over the past two elections and feeling support for campaign was noticeably larger than in previous years.
He recounted words of encouragement from former independent MP for Indi Cathy McGowan during her visit to Wannon in the last election cycle.
Ms McGowan, in 2013, had run as an independent candidate in a division which had been held by the Liberals or Nationals for 74 years.
She held the seat until her retirement in 2019, following which the community elected independent MP Helen Haines.
Mr Dyson said the support the division of Indi has shown for an independent highlighted not only that victory is attainable, but that the results an independent can achieve can lead to sustainable governance.
“It’s really humbling, and it gets me emotional sometimes, because I started this six years ago and what we’re seeing is why I wanted a community-driven campaign,” he said.
“It’s about the community having the power – when Cathy McGowan came to Wannon, she made the point it’s up to community members to be the solution to their problems, and they need a member who is willing to stand next to them and advocate for them.
“It’s great to see the support: we’ve got some really smart, clever, kind locals. Every community group you talk to, be it CFA, SES, Rotary or Lions clubs, the regions are built on volunteers.
“Having those kinds of people willing to stand beside me is something I won’t take for granted.
“Repaying the trust people have put in me is my number one thing to do, and it’s how I’d be a successful member of Parliament.”
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