Olivia Helmore, DLP Lead Candidate for Yerrabi
Labour DLP’s lead candidate for Yerrabi.
Hi, I’m Olivia Helmore and I am passionate about improving the policy process for the voices of vulnerable Yerrabi community members, such as single parent and low-income families, people with a disability and cultural minorities. That’s why I’m standing as a candidate for the Democratic Labour Party (Labour DLP).
Having had considerable experience living with a disability, accessing social services and dealing with the cost of living pressures on a low income, I believe I can be a true and worthy representative for the disabled members of our community and low-income families, who struggle to make ends meet every day.
With regards to my background, I have worked as a Disability Support Worker as well as a Swimming Instructor to children and adults in the Canberra community. I am a qualified ESL (English as a Second Language) Teacher having been trained through the University of NSW.
Since 2006 I have been a regular volunteer at various communities and events such as the Northaven Retirement Village, “Living Green Festival” as a performer, Belconnen Arts Centre and the Australian War Memorial. In 2013 I conducted field research with the International Alliance of Research Universities alongside Indigenous community members in the Pilbara, WA. This experience highlighted the importance of developing economy and community together.
In 2014, I achieved a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and History from the Australian National University and in 2016 I graduated with a Master of International Public Diplomacy, from Macquarie University. Most recently, I have been working as an Office Manager for a Canberra based human rights not-for-profit organisation, which advocates for persecuted minorities here and around the world.
With my experience, skills and attributes, that I have to offer, if elected to become a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Yerrabi, I will seek to forge stronger working relationships with the Gungahlin Community Council and the people of the electorate.
I believe that community well-being suffers when community objectives for development are not heeded by policy makers. So, one of my key priorities would be to ensure that there is a higher level of effective engagement and consultation, involving local needs and vision, in order to help the community to thrive.
Please feel free to contact me at olivia@dlp.org.au
