Voices of Bradfield
About us
Our objectives
​Voices of Bradfield calls for integrity and effectiveness in federal politics. We aim to do that by:
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selecting and endorsing an independent federal candidate/member for the seat of Bradfield
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supporting the currently endorsed candidate/member as determined in collaboration with them
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active advocacy in relation to key federal issues approved by the membership of the association
Our organisation
Voices of Bradfield is an independent community non-profit organisation. We are registered with NSW Department of Fair Trading as an incorporated association and we comply with all legal requirements of the department and the Australian Electoral Commission. Click here for a copy of our constitution.
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Our principles
Voices of Bradfield is a community-based organisation committed to these principles:
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representative democracy, unencumbered by the strictures of party politics
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continuing community engagement
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integrity and accountability
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honesty, courage and truth
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diversity, inclusiveness and respect for all
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recognition of the importance of reason and science in public policy
Our office holders
Nick O'Brien
President
Nick has lived in Sydney’s north shore for 17 years, having moved here from Melbourne (via Canberra and Northern NSW). He has a PhD and degree in forest science, and has worked in the research and funds management sectors with a focus on sustainable plantation management and climate change mitigation. Nick strongly believes that a key focus on mitigating climate change impacts is to change the way we produce and use energy, and feels that the current major political parties have not displayed the necessary urgency in this area.
Madeleine Hobbs
Treasurer
​Madeleine has lived in Bradfield for over 20 years after emigrating from South Africa with her husband and two children, who went to local public schools. Madeleine has worked in IT and project management across a number of industries and is now taking a master of history degree. She believes in thoughtful, pragmatic and evidence-based action on climate change, gender equity and integrity in government.
Danielle Zagel
Secretary
Danielle has lived in Bradfield with her family for over a decade, following a long stint in London, and her children are studying in local schools. Danielle has degrees in law and Asian studies and has been working as a commercial lawyer in senior positions in Australian and global organisations for many years. Danielle is excited about the potential for a grassroots organisation to harness the many skills and talents found in the residents of Bradfield and use them to change our community and our world for the better.
Gillian Bennett
Committee member
Gillian has lived in Bradfield for over a decade, settling here after many years working in Canberra, Sydney and overseas as a broadcast news writer and producer. She now works in philanthropy while raising two children. She has postgraduate degrees in international relations and is very slowly completing a masters of research at Macquarie University. Gillian joined Voices of Bradfield because she believes having informed, responsive and effective local representatives in the federal parliament is crucial to a healthy Australian democracy.
Ian Palmer
Committee member
Ian’s connections to Bradfield date back to 1987 when he lecturered at Ku-ring-gai College of Advanced Education. Later, he moved to Lindfield and his two children attended Killara High. His teaching, research and industry consulting was on managing organisational change. Ian recently returned to Lindfield from Melbourne where he was a vice-president at RMIT University and managed the College of Business. He remains a Professor Emeritus. Ian has a strong focus on achieving change for the better and his recent pro bono activities include mentoring, designing a post-prison employment program and advising businesses and bike building for a disability organisation. He is naturally aligned to the changes Voices of Bradfield is championing and was excited to see the strong support in Bradfield for the recent referendum.
David Hyde
Committee member
​David with his wife and three children have lived in the lower North Shore for more than 30 years. Professionally David works in financial services. He is a member of Northbridge Rotary and a blood donation advocate. In the 2022 election he campaigned for Kylea Tink in the federal seat of North Sydney. With a sense of social justice and the importance of community, David is pleased to be involved in participatory democracy and the community independent movement. In it he sees real potential for better decision making and hence better outcomes for Bradfield and the country more broadly.
Victoria Brown
Committee member
Victoria has lived in Bradfield her whole life and is delighted to be able to raise her children in the same leafy environment and wonderful community that she enjoyed as a child.
After completing a degree in politics and international relations, Victoria worked as a journalist before moving into book publishing. She currently freelances in the publishing industry with a focus on writers festivals and literary events.
Victoria is thrilled to be working with the Voices of Bradfield and is looking forward to engaging with the community to identify shared goals for the future.
Henry Chadban
Special adviser
Henry has lived in Bradfield for almost ten years, having grown up on the Central Coast. After finishing school at St Ives High School, Henry went on to study engineering at the University of Sydney while working in research trial administration for NSW Health. More recently, he worked as a software engineer for TikTok and he is currently studying a master of information technology at UNSW.
Henry joined Voices of Bradfield after volunteering for Nicolette Boele in the 2022 election. He is excited to be part of a community-focused organisation aiming for positive political change outside the framework of the major parties. He believes that Voices of Bradfield, in concert with like-minded community organisations can help to break the deadlock around issues like climate change and economic reform that has existed in Australian politics in recent decades.