About Us
Vision for Bendigo
Our vision for Bendigo is that it is a place where communities are informed and involved in the political process.
It is a place where the diversity of place, people, and perspectives, is respected and represented, across all electorates.
A place where it is easy for people to participate in the decisions that shape their lives and future.
A place where people feel confident taking part in community and political life.A place where people can disagree and still listen to each other with respect.
Our vision is that we are a place represented by strong and informed candidates and elected representatives who listen, put community first, are accessible and transparent, act with integrity and are accountable to the people they represent.
Who are we?
We are a group of people from across the state and federal Bendigo electorates who want the community to come first.
We are a group of local people who are concerned local priorities have been lost in broader political; debate, party politics, and personalities.
We believe the issues that matter to the people of Bendigo deserve greater attention.
We have different perspectives, but we share a desire for politics to be done differently and to be done better.
We are working together to help people across Bendigo electorates tell candidates and representatives of all political backgrounds we expect them to listen and respond to the priorities raised by the community.Our role is not to tell people how to vote. Our role is to help strengthen the community’s voice.
Fundamental values
We act with truth, integrity, respect and inclusion, and expect our political candidates and representatives to do the same.
We encourage a diversity of voices from across the Bendigo federal and state electorates to engage in politics.
We encourage respectful political conversation and create space for people to be heard, including those who may not usually take part.
Meet our people
Claire Flanagan-Smith
Local business owner and community volunteer Claire Flanagan-Smith moved to Bendigo 20 years ago. Like many others, she fell in love with this place and has worked, raised her family and built community here ever since. A facilitator, environmental engineer and regional consultant, Claire cares deeply about this region and works hard to build the things that make it flourish.
Her current and past community work includes the La Trobe Bendigo Advisory Board, Bendigo Sustainability Group, Community Foundation for Central Victoria, Bendigo Writers Festival, school councils, Loddon Campaspe Regional Partnership, Wolstencroft Area Action Group and Long Gully community planning.
Professionally, Claire supports farm businesses, Traditional Owner corporations, local and state government, and community organisations on projects that strengthen regional communities and landscapes.
Claire is part of Voices for Bendigo because she loves this region and believes in the power of democracy. She wants to help create a future where people feel connected, informed and confident they can shape the future of the place they call home.
Sue Fricke
Sue is a senior executive and community organiser with over two decades’ experience leading change across public and private sector organisations. She is Company Secretary of Jumpleads, where she supports community initiatives through her experience in governance, stakeholder engagement and collaboration.
Sue co-founded Voices of Kooyong and served as Co-Convenor of the Bendigo for Yes campaign during the 2023 referendum, bringing volunteers together in a positive, respectful and hopeful campaign. Her grassroots involvement reflects a commitment to community participation and ensuring local voices are heard.
Sue is involved with Voices for Bendigo because she believes strong communities and a healthy democracy grow when people have a voice and the opportunity to make a difference.
Bryn Davies
Bryn is a public-sector strategist and democracy advocate with over two decades’ experience in public service and community development. He is currently Democracy and Government Lead at the Castlemaine Institute, where he works to strengthen local democratic participation and decision-making and leads projects that deliver system change for economies, communities and our environment.
Bryn co-founded Democracy for Dinner and Really Local, two grassroots community groups in central Victoria which are trialling local democratic innovations that return people to the heart of democracy.
Bryn is involved with Voices for Bendigo because he believes our democracy belongs to all of us.