By DLP Federal Secretary Steve Campbell
Chifley Branch up and sprinting
Thursday night, December 17th, Dr Rachel Carling-Jenkins and I attended the formation meeting for the new Branch 4, covering the federal electorates of Bruce, Holt, Isaacs and Dunkley. The members chose to name the branch in honour of the great Ben Chifley, the last Prime Minister of our Party before the ALP split from us.
Congratulations to the new Chifley executive, President Geraldine Gonsalves, Secretary Peter Phillips and Treasurer Andrew Rabel.
With already about 130 members, the branch looks to have a promising future. I’m looking forward to a lot of activity especially in the area of membership recruitment. There is also plenty of scope for some great social events as well.
I think we are going to see some heavy campaigning here in the Federal election.
Ballarat-Bendigo coming up fast
Next cab off the rank will be Branch 12 covering the electorates of Ballarat and Bendigo. With some of the party’s most industrious and imaginative members residing in these electorates it promises to be a colourful meeting and an eventful 2016. Rachel and I will be there and hoping to see all the members.
The rest are close behind
The following branches will also be established by mid-March 2016.
Branch 5 – Electorates of Goldstein, Hotham & Melbourne Ports
Branch 6 – Electorates of Kooyong, Higgins, Melbourne & Chisholm
Branch 8 – Electorates of Lalor, Gorton, Maribyrnong & Gellibrand
Branch 9 – Electorates of Corio and Corangamite
The State Executive hopes to have the remaining 6 branches established by the middle of the year. At that time all Victorian members will be covered by active branches and ready to launch into action during the election campaign.
Great to see the party branches being re-established on such a solid footing.
Steve Campbell
Federal Secretary
