Diane Shepheard has been volunteering within Indigo Shire since she moved there 36 years ago – now she wants to serve as a councillor.
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The Indigo Valley woman standing for election is no stranger to politics, having been a key member of the “orange army” Voices for Indi group which helped get Cathy McGowan elected to Federal Parliament in 2013.
But she said she was an independent candidate and had no interest in bringing Canberra “games” to Indigo.
“I don’t like the game of politics, with Voices for Indi I was really keen to get involved in grassroots democracy,” Ms Shepheard said.
Her community volunteer credits included roles with Yackandandah Folk Festival, Totally Renewable Yackandandah and the Indigo Valley fire recovery committee.
As a councillor, she said she wanted to be someone who could support volunteer groups not only with funding, but by creating space for leaders to network in the community.
“If you want something to change, the best person to change it is yourself,” she said.
“We’ve shown people that philosophy: get it going and good things can happen.”
The people of Indigo Valley were tested in December when a devastating fire ripped through 7000 hectares of land, destroying three homes and killing almost 1000 head of stock.
Ms Shepheard was one of the lucky ones and watched the head of the fire split away from danger.
“It went around both sides of my property,” she said.
“For a while there it was tough watching everyone suffer.”
But while her friends were in pain, Ms Shepheard used the energy she had to help start a community support group.
Residents have been meeting every month since the disaster and have become closer through adversity.
“This is the stuff I really enjoy seeing happen in community,” Ms Shepheard said.
“It just shows what can happen with good leadership and good will.”
She said she wanted to be part of a council with diverse members, willing to talk to people.
“I have nothing against the councillors who are there at the moment, this is just the time for me,” she said.
“The people I’d like to work with are people who are interested in innovative ways of working.”