Cassandra Fernando has been chosen as Labor’s candidate for Holt at the upcoming federal election, replacing the outgoing current member Anthony Byrne.
Ms Fernando was born in Sri Lanka and moved to Australia in 1999 as an 11-year-old with her family, settling in Dandenong North, where she still lives.
With a Certificate III in Education Support and Diploma of Hospitality, Ms Fernando has put her educational support training to use as a volunteer at AMES Australia (Adult Multicultural Education Services) providing tutoring services for migrants, refugees and youths from non-English speaking backgrounds.
During her time working at Woolworths she was a Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association (SDA) Union Delegate before leaving Woolworths to commence working as a Union Organiser at the SDA’s Victorian branch.
She has been a Union Organiser at the SDA for almost 5 years.
Minster Byrne announced in March that he would not re-contest his seat at the upcoming election after 22 years as the Member for Holt, having won the position at a November 1999 by-election.
Federal Opposition leader Anthony Albanese said that Labor would be losing “one of its truly dedicated servants,” upon his decision.
