A growing number of candidates from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds are putting their hands up to represent their communities in local government.
Key points:
- More people from diverse backgrounds are nominating for councillor positions
- The NSW local government elections are in September
- Candidates want their councils to better serve changing community needs
At Dubbo, in central west NSW, Indigenous candidates are nominating to represent their community, including mother of three and Wiradjuri, Yorta Yorta and Barkindji woman Tatum Moore.
"I grew up within domestic violence, surrounded by drugs and alcohol abuse, which are some of the issues our people face," she said.
Ms Moore is the great granddaughter of William Ferguson, an Indigenous campaigner who founded the Aboriginal Progressive Association and led protests at the 1938 National Day of Mourning.
"Politics is in my blood. He was a leader, a role model, an inspiration," she said.
"He was an Aboriginal activist for us to have the right to vote."
ABC Western Plains: Gary-Jon Lysaght
)Well-respected Tubba-Gah Wiradjuri man Lewis Burns is also nominating for a council position.
Brewarrina Shire Council has one of the highest Aboriginal populations of any local government area in the state.
Its current sole Indigenous councillor, Donna Jeffries, said five First Nations people have nominated to run in the September local government election.
"Great turnout thus far," she said.
Diverse perspectives
It's not just Indigenous candidates running for councillor positions.
Bangladesh-born finance specialist Shibli Chowdhury is also standing for Dubbo Regional Council, citing the need for greater diversity in local government.
He moved to Australia in 2009 and has been part of the Dubbo Multicultural Group and Regional Development Australia Orana's migration settlement committee.
"My story is similar to a lot of people who came here and had to find their way in the community," he said.
"I can provide a voice to the growing number of people from multicultural backgrounds who now call the Dubbo region home."
Orange candidate
Supplied: Euince Adetifa
)Eunice Adetifa moved from Nigeria to Australia 11 years ago and is now a councillor candidate for Orange.
A solicitor and mother of two, she wants to be a part of a more diverse council.
"It's not diverse enough," she said.
"It's restricted to a particular set of people who recycle themselves over and over again.
Mrs Adetifa said she's "very impressed" with the response to her candidacy.
"I haven't had too much discrimination, or too much backlash," she said.
Growing diversity of regional Australia on display for upcoming NSW local government elections - ABC News
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