The Indi Way - A book review
If you've ever despaired over politics, felt powerless, or lost trust in politicians, then "The Indi Way" is a book you shouldn't miss. This captivating, easy read tells the story of a group of residents who united with the courage to reshape politics in northeast Victoria. In doing so, they empowered community after community, ultimately transforming the local political landscape and leading to a community-based independent winning the Federal electorate of Indi in the last four elections and laying the groundwork for the emergence of a national grassroots movement known as Voices For.
This book reveals the untold account of how the idea of a dozen people blossomed into the collective efforts of thousands, turning local politics upside down and inside out. After reading this, you'll be inspired to either embark on your own journey to effect change in your community, or you'll want to move to Indi.
Like thousands of people, I'm part of the Voices For Indi story, too.
In 2002, my wife and I relocated to Wangaratta, and shortly after that our daughter was born. As fate would have it, we established a charming little café nestled near the railway station which unknowingly became the closest one to the main polling place during the intense 2013 battle for Indi.
For weeks we provided volunteers from all sides with caffeine, food, warmth and a place to gather. Our café was a convenient place for journalists to interview candidates and used as a backdrop for the occasional TV interview. The atmosphere was charged with palpable tension and excitement. When the missing 1,003 ballot papers were ultimately discovered, the elation was indescribable.
Hospitality and politics don't mix, it's the surest way to lose customers, so, as the Voices for Indi mantra goes, during this time I was my best self, albeit quietly cheering along with a splash of orange here and there.
Life moves on, my café's since closed, my daughter's grown, and my wife and I are still in Wangaratta. Since meeting the people behind Voices for Indi, we've joined the community movement and been part of every election campaign since. This book is a delight to read, but what's even more delightful is living in a community where politics is friendly, fun and overwhelmingly effective.
Eric Bittner
Like thousands of people, I'm part of the Voices For Indi story, too.
In 2002, my wife and I relocated to Wangaratta, and shortly after that our daughter was born. As fate would have it, we established a charming little café nestled near the railway station which unknowingly became the closest one to the main polling place during the intense 2013 battle for Indi.
For weeks we provided volunteers from all sides with caffeine, food, warmth and a place to gather. Our café was a convenient place for journalists to interview candidates and used as a backdrop for the occasional TV interview. The atmosphere was charged with palpable tension and excitement. When the missing 1,003 ballot papers were ultimately discovered, the elation was indescribable.
Hospitality and politics don't mix, it's the surest way to lose customers, so, as the Voices for Indi mantra goes, during this time I was my best self, albeit quietly cheering along with a splash of orange here and there.
Life moves on, my café's since closed, my daughter's grown, and my wife and I are still in Wangaratta. Since meeting the people behind Voices for Indi, we've joined the community movement and been part of every election campaign since. This book is a delight to read, but what's even more delightful is living in a community where politics is friendly, fun and overwhelmingly effective.
Eric Bittner
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