Independent candidate for Corangamite Damien Cole is hoping to pull a surprise upset in the May 18 Federal election overcoming both the incumbent Liberal Sarah Henderson and her ALP opponent Libby Coker. A recent redistribution has turned the seat from being a reasonably safe Liberal seat into a nominal Labor hold.

Following an impressive turnout in the recent State election which saw him earn 7.65% of the primary vote for South Barwon, Cole has now turned his attention to what is already a very closely contested Federal seat.

The local Jan Juc tradesmen comes from a unique background, having done a range of jobs ranging from bar managing in a French snow resort to teaching English in Japan. On his website, Cole says he would be a community representative who really wants to help his community and people and environment.

Damien Cole’s Federal campaign is centred on creating climate awareness and hopes to create a unified front among communities up and down the coast to oppose mining in the area.

He is an Environmental Science student at Deakin University where he is due to graduate this year.  He is actively involved with a number of community groups including The Greater Torquay Alliance, and wants to create a blueprint which emphasises the importance of sustainable communities and environmental safeguards.