Dr Fiona Kotvojs (D. Ed, MBA, Grad Dip Bus Mgt, Grad Dip. Ed, Grad Dip Assess & Eval., BSc [Hon], (AICD) has lodged her nomination as the Liberal Party candidate in Eden Monaro in the upcoming Federal election. Yesterday we heard of Jim Molan saying he would not stand and Andrew Constance withdrawing his nomination leaving questions as to who might contest the seat for the Liberal Party. There has been wide speculation of who might stand with reports that Liberal vice-president Teena McQueen had sounded out support to parachute in Tony Abbott. But very quietly, Dr Fiona Kotvojs lodged her nomination. Beef farmer and small businesswoman, Dr Fiona Kotvojs [pronounced: KOT-VOYS], will be seeking the support of the Eden-Monaro community, after being chosen by local Party Members as the Liberal Candidate. In the last Federal Election Fiona was chosen by a plebiscite of Liberal Party Members, after outlining a strong vision for the local community, and a desire to bring more local jobs into the region.Dr Kotvojs will campaign to recapture Eden-Monaro for the Liberal Party, and become the first female Member for Eden-Monaro since its formation as a ‘Federation’ seat in1901. Born in Bega and raised on the family farm in Dignams Creek, she lives in a sustainable off-grid home on the 380-acre family farm between Narooma and Bega, growing Simmental cattle and truffles. Starting her professional career as a high school teacher,Fiona then applied her science qualifications in coastal environments, including Environmental Impact Studies. Fiona has also worked in the private sector to design, manage and evaluate Australian foreign aid programs in Asia-Pacific nations across education, environment, natural resources, agriculture, infrastructure, health, community development, economic governance, as well as law and justice sectors. As well as managing the family farm, Fiona and has established two successful small businesses, is a Rural Fire Service volunteer, Anglican Church Property Trustee and Oxfam Australia Director. Her property, Kurrajong Hill on Dignams Creek Road, is completely surrounded by National Parks with Kooraban National Park to the north and west and Gulaga National Park to the east and south. Dr Kotvojs has formally presented to the Eurobodalla Council on the issue of the Rural Lands Strategy. At that meeting the community (and councillors) learnt that Fiona had moved back to her parents farm about 7 years ago. She advised that the farm, run by her parents for over 50 years, has always been virtually self-sufficient and farms beef cattle looking to now diversifying and looking at a range of options to improve the long term viability including truffles and a range of recreational activities. Kurrajong Hill is registered as a WOOFING farm. World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF), or Willing Workers on Organic Farms, is a hospitality service operated by a loose network of national organisations that facilitate homestays on organic farms. WWOOF volunteers generally do not receive money in exchange for services. Dr Kotvojs is also on the Board of OxFam Australia, appointed in 2012 The OxFam site advises that: Dr Fiona Kotvojs brings 30 years’ experience in the international development sector, encompassing design, management and evaluation of programs. She has a commitment to sustainability and capacity development, and is a recognised expert in these areas. Fiona has worked across a range of sectors including education, agriculture, fisheries, infrastructure, economic governance, community development and law and justice. This is supported by postgraduate qualifications in education, business and evaluation. Fiona is also a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Community is a strong focus for Fiona. Consequently she maintains an active involvement in her community, including a number of leadership roles.
