Berry chamber boss plans to 'fight for the future' of Gilmore as independent candidate

Berry Chamber of Commerce president Kate Dezarnaulds will run as an independent candidate for Gilmore at this year’s federal election.

The seat, which in the north encompasses the Kiama local government area, was slightly changed in last year’s boundary redistribution, which mainly affected small pockets in the seat’s south.

It’s been held by Labor’s Fiona Phillips since 2019 and was the only seat gained by Labor at that election. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has until 17 May to set the date of this year’s election.

Kate is a long-time resident, married to a local builder and has three teenagers.

With degrees in art history and business, she spent the first eight years of her career working for Sotheby’s in London, Hong Kong and Sydney before a range of senior business development roles with ArtBank, Bundanon Trust and Sydney Festival.

In 2017, Kate founded WorkLife to create a coworking community in a bid to balance her consulting work in Sydney with her local tree-changing life in Berry.

Since then WorkLife has grown to 120 members and added two sites in Coledale and Picton. Last year, it won the title of Shoalhaven Small Business of the Year in 2024.

“Gilmore doesn’t need career politicians,” Kate said.

“It needs someone who’s lived the challenges of this community and is ready to fight for its future.

“Thriving communities are built on collaboration, opportunity, and resilience.

“From supporting small businesses to empowering grassroots organisations, I’ve always worked to ensure that local voices shape local solutions.”

Top of Kate’s priority list for Gilmore is affordable housing and healthcare. She plans to address the housing crisis by advocating for federal investment in affordable housing and healthcare services, attracting and retaining key workers and professionals, and ensuring equitable access for all.

She aims to leverage the energy transition to create local jobs, reduce costs and build a sustainable regional economy; strengthen disaster preparedness and support local programs that foster connected, resilient communities.

She said it was important to prioritise community voices over party politics.

“Gilmore is my home. It’s where I’ve raised my children, built a business, and invested in the people and places that make this region so special,” Kate said.

“I’ve been here through the fires and the floods and seen the magic that happens when our community comes together.

“But I cannot stand by and suffer the division, distraction, and denial that is driving our broken political system.

“This community deserves leadership that listens, acts with integrity, and seizes the opportunities of innovation and progress to build a better future – not leadership driven by party agendas.

“We need bold, practical action on climate change to safeguard our community and future generations.

“I’ll fight for investment in renewables and a just transition to clean energy that benefits everyday people, not multinational corporations.”

Kate recently completed a two-and-a-half-year contract to launch the Investing in Rural Community Futures Program on the South Coast, a five-year partnership between The Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal and the Snow Foundation to strengthen local not-for-profit (NFP) organisations.

She is head of partnerships for StartupAus and has positions on many boards, including the National Trust and Shoalhaven Tourism Board.

Click here to learn more about Kate’s campaign.