New Labor candidates for Bendigo East and West were announced today, replacing long-serving members Maree Edwards and Jacinta Allan.
Bendigo-born Brenton Baldwin, a health policy professional, will run for Bendigo West, while Tim Rickwood, a Bendigo Senior Secondary College teacher, will run in Bendigo East.
Mount Alexander Shire Council Mayor Toby Heydon, who was also considered as a candidate, withdrew his nomination.
“Following Maree’s shock announcement, I was encouraged to nominate as a Labor candidate for Bendigo West,” Heydon said.
“After lengthy consultations and meetings, I decided to withdraw my nomination.
“While I appreciate the support, I am fully committed to serving the Shire of Mount Alexander and its wonderful people,” he said.
About the candidates
Brenton Baldwin’s values were shaped growing up in a working-class Bendigo family – hard work, strong public services and looking after one another and the local community.
A proud product of public education, he attended local schools before graduating from La Trobe University Bendigo. Growing up in Bendigo showed him how government decisions shape opportunity in regional communities.
“I’ve seen what Labor governments can do for regional healthcare – building the new Bendigo Hospital and hiring thousands of nurses and midwives so people here can get timely, high-quality care close to home. I want to keep delivering that for Bendigo West,” he said.
In Bendigo East, Tim Rickwood is a proud local teacher who lives in Spring Gully with his wife and young daughter. Growing up in a single-parent household where money was tight, Tim saw firsthand the difference that access to education and a government that believes in opportunity can make – values he says are deeply connected to why he’s running as a Labor candidate.
The Bendigo Senior Secondary College teacher understands firsthand how education changes lives.
“I want to represent Bendigo East because I want young people growing up here to have every opportunity to build a good life and a good future right here in Bendigo,” Mr Rickwood said.
“Good schools and a strong TAFE system are vital to Bendigo’s future. As a teacher at BSSC, I see every day how education can change a young person’s life. It gives them skills, confidence and a pathway into work, while helping local businesses find the next generation of workers they need.
“We want Bendigo and Central Victoria to continue to be a place where people can receive a great education, access quality health care, find secure work and build a good life close to home,” Mr Rickwood said.