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by Maryann Callaghan
Whip smart with a bubbly , engaging personality , Angela Maguire wears many hats in the district and she now wants to don the biggest one yet – the State seat of Hawkesbury in the March 2023 NSW government elections .
Hawkesbury born and bred , Ms Maguire owns and operates The Shed Bar and Café at Enniskillen Orchard as well as major events and communications firm The Gap Consultancy .
Ms Maguire , a former pupil of Grose View Public School and Bede Polding College , has held volunteer governance positions with Elizabeth Street Preschool North Richmond , Fitzgerald Aged Care , vice chairperson of Peppercorn Services Incorporated and immediate past president of Harvest Trails and Markets .
This Grose Vale is a mother of two and her reasoning for campaigning to be a Member of State Parliament is refreshingly simple :
“ If not now , then when ? If not me , then who ? It ’ s a very personal decision for me ,” Ms Maguire told the Independent .
“ It ’ s important for my family , neighbours , friends and community . It ’ s important for democracy . If we don ’ t pay attention to democracy , you get bad faith
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players getting elected which isn ’ t good for anybody .
“ I ’ m no career politician - I ’ m a tax paying employer and entrepreneur .”
Ms Maguire said the major parties take the Hawkesbury for granted , particularly as we are considered a safe Liberal seat .
“ My objective is to fight as hard as I can to get the seat . I ’ m up for it , I feel we need and deserve to be treated fairly , given the same emergency relief and support as other electorates .
“ I am running to stand up for my community ’ s interests and needs … not those of a political party .”
If elected the first thing Ms Maguire plans on doing is moving the electoral office to a central , accessible location , as “ being seen is being accountable ”.
“ My singular purpose is to provide people of the Hawkesbury with a voice , to work , engage and advocate for them . If you get the privilege to represent your country , you treat it with the respect it ’ s due ,” she said . “ Rather than hiding from the electorate , I intend to be held accountable . I will be there to represent you .”
Ms Maguire is standing as a community Independent , meaning she will predominantly self-fund her campaign as she ’ s not tied to a party structure .
“ Being an Independent is so hard , it ’ s
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not that simple to stand without a political party machine behind you with reserves of support ,” she explained .
“ You must find your own money and resources , but that said you are not beholden to the politics of that party .
“ People who know me personally , know I ’ m a community Independent , I can ’ t make wild sweeping changes , but I can put pressure on those in power who do .”
And pressure she will . Ms Maguire said she has the capacity and skillset to do the job – to listen , act and do her best to influence government decision-makers .
“ People have the notion I ’ m socially progressive . I used to work for the National Party when I was younger , I have never been a member of the Labor Party ,” she said .
Inspired to run after completing a Pathways to Politics course that encourages more women into the political sphere , Ms Maguire knows the Hawkesbury and its people . “ We enjoy extraordinary natural resources , heritage , agricultural and equine industries . People want to visit us to experience these … for those who live here , we want to raise our families in this beautiful environment ,” she said .
“ To ensure these attributes that make the Hawkesbury unique and desired … we need thoughtful , considered planning that is supported by commensurate investment
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in infrastructure and essential services to continue to make our community liveable and protect it for future generations .”
And what could be more down to earth and “ Hawkesbury ” than running your campaign office out of one of Hawkesbury ’ s long-established orchards ? The family business - Enniskillen Orchard will be campaign headquarters for this grassroots , no-nonsense candidate for several months to come .
“ As I go around our community in the coming months and listen to the concerns of voters in the Hawkesbury , the list will grow . As a community independent , it will be my task to listen and ensure people ’ s concerns are properly heard .”
You can follow Ms Maguire on Facebook at AngelaMaguireforHawkesbury , or email her at angela @ angelamaguire . com . au .
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