"Both parties have ignored Warrnambool for a long time": A local artist on why he's voting differently this election

As the race for Wannon intensifies in what is shaping up to be the most closely contested election in the seat's 70-year Liberal stronghold history, we're traveling to the pubs and gathering places that form the beating heart of local communities to speak with locals about their political choices, the values guiding their decisions, and how their perspectives have evolved over time.

Today, we're settled at a corner table in the smoker’s section of the Warrnambool Hotel, sharing a round with Francis Van Der Mark, a first-generation Australian who has witnessed Warrnambool transform from a homogeneous dairy town to a gradually diversifying regional center.

"I'm born and bred Warrnambool," Francis tells the Brolga. "Been a house painter for most of my life. Did about 30 years of community arts, organising street parades and community projects. And now, at 68, I'm retired and enjoying a quiet beer."

The Brolga: What was Warrnambool like when you were a kid?

Francis: A very white, wealthy community. Dairy farming. We used to have a woolen mill. We used to have Fletcher Jones when I was a kid. Those big companies are gone. Warrnambool has changed in recent years. There are a lot more migrant people here, still a minimal minority, but they are moving here. Even shops like Pronto's, which is a delicatessen style shop, can survive here in Warrnambool now, where 20 years ago that sort of shop wouldn't survive. We've got lots of Thai restaurants, Indian, Japanese food, that's all new to the town.

There's a multicultural festival that happens here once a year. Warrnambool's never been real flash at community events really. I worked on the first two Wunta Festivals back in the 80s. Massive participation, but it wasn't really recognised in the town and that sort of thing hasn't really happened here since then. It was set up by business people back in the 80s, I think, late 80s.

What was that like? Being involved back then.

When I was involved it was fantastic. I went around to all the schools, the disability services, old folks homes, and businesses. The first year involved about 1,000 people, second year was about 2,000 people, on a budget of $650 per year. So I got $650 work for three months. John Michael Howson came down and got $3,000 for two days. (laughs)

With the upcoming election, what do you think politicians are getting right and what are they getting wrong?

Well, we've been Liberal forever, 70 years or something I think. A safe Liberal seat. Last year, Mr. Dyson eroded their lead from, I don't know, about 6 percent down to maybe 3.5 percent. Hopefully this year he'll erode it a bit more. They have certainly ignored Warrnambool for a long time. Both parties. Such a safe seat. They don't have to do anything here. And Dan Tehan is the blue blood from Hamilton that I don't think has any understanding of the real people. Certainly hasn't done much for as long as I can remember.

How have your voting patterns changed since you first started voting till today?

I guess I was always a Labor voter. I will be voting Independent this time. The two party system is not democratic. And so, as far as I'm concerned, the more Teals and the more independents we get in, the better our government will be.

We're spending far too much money on what they call defence. Billions of dollars a year. And our government is sending armaments and equipment to the war effort. Which is disgusting.

You've been Labor your whole life. When did you switch to independent?

Probably just in recent years. 

Was it Dyson that did it?

Dyson has helped. But, like I said, the two party system's not democracy. There are countries, I think, Holland has so many parties. So, to get into government you have to deal with a lot more people than just your minions underneath.

Your surname, Van Der Mark–

First generation Australian. My parents came from Amsterdam in 1950. In fact, in 2016, about 25 percent of Australians were not born here. And a further 25 percent are first generation. So, we're a very migrant country.

Yeah. I think the last time I heard that stat, it's gone up to 1 in 3 are born outside of Australia.

Well, there you go. 

But here in Warrnambool, I think 89 percent are born in Australia. I would guess, back when you were a kid that percentage would be much higher. 

Yeah, exactly. Very much so.

Which part of Australia did your parents first arrive in?

I don't know exactly where they landed. I know they went to Queensland and lived at Surfers Paradise when it was a swamp for a short period of time. The only story I really know is they were working for a family, the Moffett family, out near Hamilton. Mum was a cleaner maid and dad was a handyman outside. 

And when they left there they crossed the paddocks and they got a lift. The first lift that came along was going to Warrnambool.

Have you stuck around Warrnambool your whole life?

I was away for about eight years, quite a few years ago. And now I travel up the coast. I've done it five times in the last ten years in my van. Went to Europe for three months.

Where's your favourite spot to stop? 

All of it. 

All of it? 

The whole world is beautiful. 

What do you love about Warrnambool?

The coast, the weather. It's got everything. And it's getting bigger, which is fantastic. The bigger the better.

Back on Dyson for a moment, how would you describe his first run and his second run? 

Well, he tried hard. He was unknown, so struggled. His second attempt he had a bit more experience. People knew more of him. And now this third time that he's running, he's got a bit more financial backing, so he's got a bit more media. There's obviously been some negative media brought out by the parties that are vilifying him. I think and I hope that the public see through that.

In fact, one piece of media that the opposition sent out, I thought it was part of his own publicity. I didn't see the negatives in what they were talking about.

What was it? 

Oh, it was anti-everything. That they're trying to tell us that he's saving the environment. All that fear stuff, you know. It's sort of like, even our state Labor government is still chopping down trees in the catchment areas of Melbourne. 

Do you think he has a shot this time around?

I think he will improve on his percentage, whether he gets in. I can't help but think of our Yes/No vote that we had recently. Albanese called it on from a passionate point of view without any real policy, without being able to sell the idea. And 60 percent of Australians voted No. My fear is that that was almost a pre-election thing. And my hope is that 60 percent of Australians don't vote for the Liberals. That was an emotional call. One that he was never going to win. And very ill-planned.

What do you think the energy will be like in Warrnambool if Alex does do it?

I think there'll be a party. There'll be a lot of Liberal voters who'll be shocked. But personally I think there'll be a major celebration.

A step forward, rather than continuing on the same line or going backwards.

_{This interview is part of a series speaking with locals from Victoria's Western District about where they live, what they care about, and what they think of the upcoming federal election.}