Meet the Team

Dr Lachie McKeeman

Community Independent Candidate for Benambra

Dr Lachie McKeeman is a rural GP, father of three and CFA volunteer who lives with his family in Wooragee. Through his work as a doctor in Wodonga, his service with the Wooragee CFA and his advocacy through the Border Medical Association, Lachie has seen both the strength of our communities and the pressures local families face. He is standing as the Community Independent candidate for Benambra because he believes our community deserves a strong local voice, practical representation and someone prepared to get on with the job. Lachie brings frontline experience, a record of speaking up for better regional services and the ability to work constructively with anyone who can deliver for Benambra. He will answer to the people who live here, not a party room, and remain focused on turning our community’s priorities into action.

Gabrielle Gray

Campaign Manager

Gabrielle is a Wodonga business owner, Vice President of Business Wodonga and a member of the Albury Wodonga Eisteddfod committee. She joined the Community for Benambra candidate selection panel and, through that process, became convinced that Dr Lachie McKeeman was the right person to represent the electorate. She has served as his Campaign Manager ever since. Gabrielle believes good democracy depends on ordinary people stepping up. For her, this campaign is about building a future for her children in a Benambra shaped by the people who live here.

Tania Kearsley

Candidate Manager

Tania brings legal, governance and practical community experience to the campaign. A former solicitor, she ran a corporate governance consultancy before moving to Albury with her husband in 2020. Since stepping away from her business, Tania has divided her time between volunteering and working in her small orchard. She now supports Lachie and the team as Candidate Manager.

Bobbi McKibbin

Volunteer Coordinator

Bobbi grew up in Yackandandah, raised her family in Wodonga and loves bringing people together across Benambra. A small business owner, she represents her industry through state and national boards and groups. She has also advocated on important local issues, including the hospital and Junction Place. A connected community is at the heart of everything Bobbi does. As Volunteer Coordinator, she brings that commitment to the people supporting Lachie’s campaign.

Alex Nelson

Alex has lived in Benambra most of her life, growing up in Rutherglen and more recently in Beechworth, where she’s made a home with her partner Jack and three kids. Alex works in education, teaching in secondary schools in Wodonga and Beechworth for many years, and now in education research. She is a passionate advocate for participatory democracy and opportunities for everyone to be directly involved in the decisions that affect our lives.

Frances Ardern

Events Coordinator

A fifth-generation Benambra resident, Frances is passionate about participatory democracy and representation that is grounded in the community. As a local primary school teacher, she believes civics education helps young people develop the knowledge and skills to think critically about political processes at every level of government. Frances is proud to be part of a team working to strengthen the Benambra community and elect a community-backed independent.

Sally McPherson

Campaign Accountant

Sally is a former accounting firm partner who brings her professional experience to the campaign as its accountant. She is passionate about a strong future for the region and the next generation. Sally values Lachie’s clear communication and the sincerity of his reasons for standing for Benambra, and is pleased to support his campaign for community-focused representation.

Ross Kearney

Campaign Team Member

Ross has lived in Beechworth for more than 20 years and has a strong commitment to the local community. With a background in law, risk and governance, he has supported independent representation in Indi since 2013 and been involved in the two most recent Benambra election campaigns. He has also contributed to community organisations and fundraising efforts, including the Flying Fruit Fly Circus, the Beechworth Barrowthon, men’s health initiatives and the Kerferd Oration, where he has served as Chair of the Committee.

Dom Somers

Campaign Volunteer

Dom is a social worker who has called Benambra home for 30 years. His work has focused on supporting young people, building community connections and shaping systems that support communities. He is passionate about democratic participation and bringing a practical, community-minded approach to public life, independent of party politics and powerful vested interests. Dom is excited to contribute to Lachie’s campaign for community-backed representation in Benambra.

Trevor Matthews

Policy Development Team

I first voted in 1972, when Whitlam came to power. You can make a pretty good case that Australian political life has trended downwards since the hope which rose at that time. I’m supporting a community independent now because I have lost faith in the party system, and I’m convinced that independents are our last chance for integrity in political life.