Be Strategic, Vote Smart, Vote Green for Eastern Victoria

Moe community activist, Cheryl Wragg, today announced she had been endorsed by the Greens for the Upper House electorate of Eastern Victoria in number 2 spot on the Greens ticket.

Ms. Wragg said: “I am encouraging people in Gippsland to vote strategically in the upcoming State election. Their upper house vote means they can hold to account whichever Party wins control of the lower house. Many decisions taken by successive Victorian governments over the last fifteen and more years have badly hurt a lot of Gippsland people. It’s time people in our region gave themselves an insurance policy against more of the same by voting Green in the upper house.”

In addition to voting for a lower house representative, voters also decide on the upper house region of Eastern Victoria which has five parliamentary representatives. Currently, two of these positions are held by the Labor Party, two are held by the Liberal Party, and one is held by the National Party.

Ms. Wragg said: “By voting for the Greens upper house ticket, Gippsland voters can break the stranglehold of the major parties over the electorate of Eastern Victoria. The upper house reviews government legislation and actions, and holds the government to account. If there’s one thing Gippsland communities are crying out for, it’s accountability from governments. So many important decisions have and are being taken that directly affect this region and our communities – Gippslanders must be part of that process, that conversation, and where necessary, that argument. That’s why I’m standing up as part of the Greens Upper House team so that, together, we can stand up for Gippsland and Eastern Victoria.”

Greens Eastern Victoria Upper House candidates are: Samantha Dunn (1), Cheryl Wragg (2), Penelope Swales (3), Francine Buckley (4), and Andrea Millsom (5).

For further comment, contact Cheryl Wragg ph. 51 27 3790


Biographic Details: Cheryl Wragg

Cheryl Wragg was born in Yallourn and grew up with her family in Moe. She attended South Street Primary School and Moe High School. After completing her HSC in 1978, Cheryl studied for a Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Melbourne. She was the first person in her extended working class family to achieve a university degree, completed in 1985. Cheryl has had a varied and interesting professional career.

Immediately after graduating, she worked as a care attendant in a residential setting assisting adolescents and children with cerebral palsy. Starting in the late 1980s, Cheryl worked as a senior researcher and policy advisor in the union movement specialising in heavy engineering and manufacturing industry development/job creation, and State vocational education and training policy. Since then, Cheryl has worked as a manufacturing industry consultant in the Victorian State public service, as a vocational curriculum designer, as an industrial researcher within the tertiary education sector, and within the community sector as a utility advocate and campaign organiser.

Cheryl is a committed volunteer activist. During the last ten years she has participated in utilities consumer advocacy with the Energy Action Group Inc.; with her father, George Wragg, as an antiasbestos advocate bringing ABC Four Corners to the Latrobe Valley for the making of ‘Power Without Glory’, later becoming Secretary of Gippsland Asbestos Related Diseases Support Group Inc. (GARDS) 2001-2002; and since September, 2008 as a founding member and elected Secretary of Moe and District Residents Association Inc. (MADRA Inc.).

Cheryl is a recent member of the Greens Party. She believes the Greens provide the best and most responsive political advocacy and representation today for working class people and their communities. Her membership of the Greens is testament to her values not changing while her vote has. Cheryl is committed to industry development including an energy industry plan that delivers jobs justice for the Latrobe Valley, economic security and an improved outlook for the central Gippsland region and its communities.

Cheryl lives in Moe with her husband, Peter Gibbons, and their family dog, Bella. Cheryl’s interests include reading, art, walking and enjoying time with family and friends.

For further comment, contact Cheryl Wragg ph. 51 27 3790