Just a few weeks from the Federal Election, politicians are keen to secure votes from the large shooting fraternity. One friend of shooters who missed out on the Victorian Shooter Federal Election edition due to space constraints was Damian Drum.
Here’s a word from the Nationals’ Candidate for Murray:
“G’day, I’m Damian Drum and I’m running to be the next Federal MP for Murray.
I’ve got the experience and the passion we need to have a strong voice in Canberra.
I represented Northern Victoria in State Parliament for the past 14 years, where I was Leader for the Nationals in the Upper House and Minister for Sports and Veterans Affairs in the Coalition Government.
A bit about my early years – I grew up on a dairy farm at Congupna and went to school in Shepparton and Kilmore.
I love my football and I was lucky to enjoy a career with the AFL. I played 65 games for Geelong 1981-1990 and then worked as assistant coach for Sydney (under the legendary Ron Barrassi), and later as senior coach for the Fremantle Dockers.
After moving back to Victoria, I put my building qualifications to work and ran a garage and shed construction business until entering State Parliament in 2002.
While my footy and time in State politics is pretty well known, not many people know that I’m also keen on shooting.
Most recently I took Senators Bridget McKenzie (Victoria) and Nigel Scullion (Northern Territory) to Cosgrove’s Gun Club. Both Bridget and Nigel are pretty sharp, but I like to think I held my own.
As Sports Minister in 2014, I was proud to help our shooting clubs and ranges by setting up the $12.5 million Shooting Sports Facilities Programs.
Grants from this program helped clubs purchase new equipment, upgrade facilities and encourage participation – all for the benefit of club members and the sport.
Sporting clubs are a vital part of our community and shooting sports clubs must not be forgotten – some 20,000 Victorians take part in competitive shooting events each year. Victoria has produced some outstanding competitive shooters over the years, and there’s great young talent on the rise too, as seen by 16-year-old Aislin Jones’ selection for the Rio Olympics.
Shooting is a great sport for all ages and I’m keen to see participation grow. If I’m elected as the next Federal MP for Murray, you’ll have a representative who is a strong supporter your sport and your club.
Damian Drum”
#Drummy4Murray
