At Storey Park Community Centre on February 8, a crowd of volunteers, supporters, and politically engaged locals gathered—not for the sitting member, but for Tina Brown, an Independent hoping to reshape the conversation in this once-complacent seat.
Among those in attendance were figures who, under normal circumstances, might be found at a Liberal fundraiser rather than backing an Independent. Heather Ruddock, a former Liberal Party stalwart and wife of Howard-era immigration minister Phillip Ruddock, lent her support.
Alongside her, Tim Buckley, a finance and energy expert, and Karen Humphries, a cancer survivor and advocate, openly backed Tina Brown. The group Voices of Berowra, which played a role in Brown’s selection, took to the stage to explain the extensive consultation process that led to her candidacy.
Standing before a sea of supporters in teal shirts with her name on them, Brown wasted no time in outlining what’s at stake and how she will be a strong local voice the community needs.
‘We now have a pro-development government at every level,’ she told the audience. ‘A Liberal Hornsby Mayor wants to carve up and subdivide Glenorie village. New Line Road is no better today than when Julian Leeser and Matt Kean announced upgrades in 2019. We need a voice that represents us—not developers, not donors, not party interests.’
Her words were met with an eruption of applause, followed by chants of “IT’S TINA TIME!”
But perhaps the clearest sign that Brown’s campaign is making waves wasn’t inside the venue—it was down the street, where Liberal incumbent Julian Leeser’s team had assembled, waving signs. Maybe Julian is more worried about his seat then he leads on to believe.
