Pre-polling opens across Gilmore today, and Independent candidate Kate Dezarnaulds is entering the final stretch with growing momentum and a clear message: this campaign is powered by people, not party machines.
With more than 250 local volunteers, 54 booths covered on election day, and 6 pre-poll booths staffed for eight straight days during the school holidays, the Kate4Gilmore campaign has built a formidable ground game—despite operating on a fraction of the major parties’ budgets.
With a modest but mighty budget of $250,000 from over 220 donors—including $50,000 from Climate 200—this community-powered independent campaign has achieved what many said was impossible.
“We had to cancel a lot of planned ads,” Kate said. “We simply couldn’t match the millions the major parties are spending to blanket this electorate. But what we could do—and did do—was show what people-powered politics really looks like.”
While the major parties rely on backroom preference deals, Kate is running on an open ticket—trusting voters to make up their own minds.
“I’ve been upfront about how I’m voting: for climate action, integrity, housing affordability and small business support,” she said. “But I trust the people of Gilmore to vote based on their own values, not party instructions.”
The preference flows tell a clear story about political direction and independence.
The Liberal Party is preferencing One Nation second—a move that signals a further shift to the right. Labor is directing preferences to the Greens. Kate4Gilmore, by contrast, has been preferenced second by both the Greens and the Trumpet of Patriots—an unlikely combination that reflects her broad, cross-community appeal and truly independent position.
Campaign Stats That Tell the Story
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250 volunteers coordinated across the coast
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220 individual donors backing the campaign financially
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10,000 km travelled to listen to the community
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100+ community events and gatherings attended
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23 meet-the-candidate forums before election day
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3 Politics in the Pub nights
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Cuppa with Kate catch-ups in homes and halls
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110,000 how-to-vote cards printed (and hand-delivered)
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Hundreds of thousands reached via digital channels
- 13% early primary support in polling—momentum is growing!
“We’ve been building the plane as we fly it,” Kate said. “That’s the nature of independent campaigns—creative, transparent, and connected to community.”
The campaign’s strong community appeal is reflected in the words of its volunteers.
“I volunteer for Kate Dezarnaulds’ campaign because there is a sensible centre in our precious voting system,” one volunteer said. “That’s where we can discuss and debate our options for a changing future in a calm, caring and well-informed way. The challenges are huge—but so are our options once we put our heads and hearts together. The existing binary system will only give us shonky trains headed for very thick brick walls. Please let the chats we need to have start now—and out in the open,” said Michael Webb, a volunteer from North Nowra.
With early voting now underway, Kate says voters are responding to something deeper than party lines or slogans.
“This isn’t just a campaign. It’s a different kind of politics—grounded in respect, local voices, and real accountability.”
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Note for media:
- Pronunciation: Kate’s surname, Dezarnaulds, is pronounced ‘Dez-ar-know’.
Media Assets
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Photos of Kate and the campaign available here. More available on request.. Campaign video: https://youtu.be/3pt46SbCB4I
MEDIA CONTACT:
About Kate Dezarnaulds and Her Campaign for Gilmore
Kate Dezarnaulds is an independent candidate for Gilmore, committed to delivering practical, community-driven solutions for the South Coast. A local business leader and advocate for regional investment, Kate is focused on fixing real issues, including improving infrastructure, strengthening local economies, and ensuring government funding reaches the people who need it. Kate’s campaign is built on listening to the community, advocating for transparency, and working collaboratively to achieve meaningful change. She believes that Gilmore deserves a strong, independent voice in Canberra—one that puts people before politics.
For more information, visit kate4gilmore.com.au or follow Kate on @kate4gilmore
Authorised by Kate Dezarnaulds, Independent for South Coast Pty Ltd, 3/68 Albert St, Berry NSW 2535