This week marks 50 years since iconic rockers Led Zeppelin played Kooyong stadium.
And – while it wasn’t quite an epic stadium gig – we were definitely feeling a whole lotta love at our office warming last weekend.
More than 150 of our hard-working volunteers gathered at 655 Glenferrie Road, Hawthorn to celebrate the new digs, hang out with other motivated Kooyong campaigners, and just kick back and enjoy the amazing vibes.
This was a fun social event and a great chance to reflect on why so many people are putting their hands up to help Kooyong get the representation we deserve.
Volunteers are the heart and soul of Monique’s campaign. They literally embody our goal to take local concerns seriously and demand change.
Big billboard news
Finally! It’s time to reveal (drum roll, please)...
…our impressive new billboards!
Thanks to your incredible generosity, Mon now truly looms large in the heart of Kooyong.
This week we unveiled six new ‘glass billboards’ on Glenferrie Road in Hawthorn, right outside of our official HQ.
These billboards were entirely funded through your donations. And we couldn’t be more thrilled with the results.
Now Kooyong residents can see that Mon offers a genuine, tangible alternative this election. And it’s really easy to find her!
In the area? Take a picture with the new billboards, post and tag us on Twitter.
Stairway to heaven
So, we did it. We got those billboards up. But we need all the help we can get to amplify our message and really shake up the business-as-usual candidates this election.
With your help, we’re getting closer to our $75,000 goal. That will buy 150 large signs and wrap 10 cars to drive interest around our neighbourhood.
But there’s still a way to go!
Donate now! And help us really build Mon’s profile around Kooyong.
More signs of the times
Each week we get more requests for large signs and smaller “corflutes”. And – as you can see – they’re really starting to change the landscape in Kooyong.
There’s plenty of room for more, though!
Want to go big, and put your support for Mon right out front? This is a great way to show that there’s a clear choice this election. More Josh Frydenberg, Barnaby Joyce and Scott Morrison? Or Dr Monique Ryan: a strong, credible and independent voice for Kooyong.
Yes! Sign me up – large (real estate size)
Yes! Sign me up – regular (‘corflute’ size)
Like? Let’s share!
Mon is in Marie-Claire magazine this month! There’s growing enthusiasm for a different way to do politics, with strong Independents focussing on their own electorates and important national issues, not on party politics and their personal ambitions.
Now more than ever, the people you know and trust have a big influence on your life. It’s true: in grassroots campaigns like ours, word-of-mouth can be the best way to get people onboard.
So, please share your support of Mon’s campaign with motivated people you know!
Forward this email to your friends and family. Post about the things that matter to you on social media – and maybe link to our website, so people can find out more about Mon and what she stands for!
If you like, you could even post a link to our donations page!
Please remember, everything you do and say makes a difference. And we’re grateful for your support.
Oh! Don’t forget to tag #Mon4Kooyong when you post! That way we can stay engaged and involved.
Young and hungry for change
What we do today has a profound effect on future generations. So young people – their hopes for the community and the world – are a crucial part of our campaign for change.
With this in mind, we held our inaugural Youth Engagement event at last week – and there was a great turnout.
Around 25 enthusiastic young people joined us to talk about how they could get involved in Mon’s campaign. And there were some great ideas for ways to connect with younger residents – including an Amazing Race around Kooyong!
We’re looking forward to meeting more young people, and harnessing their fresh perspective on our campaign and the upcoming election.
Know a young, engaged person who wants to support Mon? Tell them to get along to our second Youth Engagement event: 4pm–5.30pm, Friday 4 March at 665 Glenferrie Rd, Hawthorn.
Young and hungry for change? No registration required. Just show up!
Note from Mon
Now finally recovered from COVID, I’m so happy to be working from HQ, and meeting again with voters to hear their concerns. I was really sorry to miss the office warming last weekend, but with my batteries recharged, it’s full speed ahead for the campaign.
This week began with Mike Cannon-Brookes’ offer, with Brookfield, to purchase AGL. This move, which was aimed at accelerating Australia’s move away from electricity generated from coal to that from renewable sources, shows yet again that market forces have effectively outstripped our federal government’s positions on the energy market.
The Coalition has been repeatedly wrong-footed because it does not understand the financial and environmental gains possible from a rapid transition to a new clean energy future. That transition would be easier and smoother if we had a government able to consider all parts of the workforce and economy, and willing to plan for both the short- and long-term.
This week also saw the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The TeamMon family includes several Ukrainians – to whom we send our love – but even apart from that, we’re all deeply affected by this act of destruction and aggression against a sovereign nation. At times like this we can appreciate our great good fortune in living where we do, in safety and in peace.
In the next few weeks we will be holding forums on clean energy and climate change. We will also be reaching out to small and medium-sized businesses in Kooyong to find out how they are faring given our ongoing struggles with COVID, and planning for a number of events around International Women’s Day.
We’ve hit a few significant milestones this week. Over 1000 volunteers have joined the campaign and we have received more than 1300 donations from community members. Our polling is strong and we are about to start knocking on doors and making phone calls to Kooyong residents. If you haven’t already signed up to volunteer, please consider doing so, as this campaign will only be won by people power.
Mon
What’s on, Mon?
Meet Mon at HQ
Want to check out 655 Glenferrie Road, Hawthorn? And meet Mon, of course. Here are some days and times you can drop by this week:
- Tues 1 March, 9:00am–10:00am
- Thurs 3 March, 12:00pm–1:00pm
Street meets and greets
Mon will be out and about meeting locals throughout Kooyong. Spread the word about this week’s events:
- Tues 1 March, 11:00am–12.30pm: Kew Junction, near corner High and Walpole Streets
- Wed 2 March, 7.30am–8.30am: Camberwell railway station
- Thurs 3 March, 2.30pm-4:00pm: near Woolworths/Kmart Camberwell
Dog Park Visits
Bring your four-legged friend to meet Mon at this week’s puppy-friendly community meet ups.
- Tues 1 March, 5:00-5:45pm: Hartwell Sportsground, Glen Iris
- Sat 5 March, 5:00-5:45pm: Victoria Road Reserve, Hawthorn East
We all know the internet was made for cute dog pics. Make sure you take pics, post and tag all the tail-wagging, head patting cuteness. Use our hashtag #Dogs4Mon and #Mon4Kooyong.
Want to keep your calendar up to date? Find out about all our upcoming events here.
#Mon4Kooyong