The Regional Young Labor Experience
New South Wales Young Labor is fundamentally an organisation for members in the greater Sydney area. NSW Labor struggles with the same issues, distance being the greatest inhibitor to the inclusion and growth of regional NSW for our party. It just makes sense for the organisation to hold its events within commuting distance of where the core of the membership is, either by a reasonable car ride or public transport, even members as far as Newcastle, the Blue Mountains and the Illawarra at a stretch can attend in person to most things. This creates a fuller and more inclusive experience in Young Labor for those in population centers, and a stark dichotomy to the experience of regional members.
I was born and raised in Orange in the state's central west. I own a home, work a full time job and attended school in regional NSW. My life is here. I have felt the enviable pull of Sydney more than once.
There is something to be said about the age old tale of queer people escaping to the big city, but I love regional NSW and am proud to be a country Labor member, flying the flag in seats we might never win. Being in the Party has been an experience that has shaped me and given me opportunity, hot summer days doorknocking in Wallerawang, helping to run campaigns in the seats of Bathurst, Orange and Calare. But being in the Party has been an experience of being in my branch, before an experience of being in a YLA.
Being a Young Labor member in the regions is often just being another member of a branch, at worst it’s an act of solidarity to the party because of the distance to your YLA meeting. I was lucky when I joined that Orange had the most active members in Western NSW YLA, making attending meetings for me just a drive down the road.
It was less lucky for members like Cody Jones and Thom Robinson from Dubbo, where a YLA meeting meant a four hour round trip, a commitment that they made as they are passionate for the cause. But for me YLA meetings were a common occurrence and a time to get together with like-minded individuals and work towards something bigger than ourselves, and for something we believe in. In my seven years as a member of the party, only twice have we had the privilege to hold an event on this side of the dividing range.
Being an active member of NSW Young Labor is not accessible for regional members because we do not get the opportunity to participate. Attending a policy forum on a Tuesday night is two days off of work and overnight in a hotel. The pandemic made zoom a more possible reality but a video call is far different from the real experience. Going to a by-election is less of a chore but a chance to finally catch up with friends, for us seeing the rest of the organisation is a bit like seeing your cousins at Christmas. Camaraderie with fellow members is vastly different, not just through lack of events but opportunities to form friendships through a shared passion that will last our time in the party.
For most regional members, their experience does not include opportunities for upskilling, mentorship, or activism. NSW Young Labor needs to better engage and consult with members in regional and remote areas.
This will not only lead to better engagement and retention of existing members, but promote growth and opportunity. More events across the state, and ensuring events in the city are accessible would go a long way to ensuring all members can participate in our organisation to its fullest. It shouldn't matter if you live in Balmain or Balranald, the promotion and importance of engaging all our members should be at the core of our organisation.
During my time in the organisation I've witnessed significant progress, with NSW Young Labor now having the highest active membership in our regional YLAs, the most regional members on the leadership team, and at the upcoming NSW Young Labor 2023 State Conference, we will see the greatest quantity of regional policies ever presented. The wealth of experiences and stories regional people bring to the organisation is vital. We bring unique and experienced perspectives to address problems that would never be faced by communities in metro areas of the state, those that represent people in circumstances, and locations that we need to represent. We need to do more to bring regional NSW Young Labor members with us.