Melissa is a passionate advocate for animal welfare, environmental protection, and social justice. As the Animal Justice Party candidate for Wendouree, she is committed to delivering practical solutions to the challenges facing Ballarat and regional Victoria. Her priorities include urgent action on climate change, stronger environmental safeguards, effective responses to family and domestic violence, and tackling homelessness through increased access to affordable, animal-friendly housing.

Melissa is a dedicated voice for animals, and believes public policy should reflect compassion and responsibility. She supports a phasing out of factory farming, introducing Veticare to make veterinary care affordable for low-income households, properly funding wildlife rescue and rehabilitation services, and introducing tougher penalties for animal cruelty.

Originally from Sydney, Melissa now lives in regional Victoria, where she spends much of her free time restoring and protecting native habitat on her property and in the community. She is a graduate of the Ballarat Nature Stewards program and an active member of her local Landcare group. With the climate crisis increasing the risk of drought, extreme weather, and bushfires, she believes regional communities deserve policies that protect people, local businesses, wildlife, and the natural environment.

Professionally, Melissa works as a Clinical Neuropsychologist, serving regional and rural Victorian communities and advocating for universal healthcare and improved access to mental health services. Her commitment to local advocacy includes leading a formal objection to the proposed Mount Doran Energy Storage System due to concerns about fire safety, environmental impacts, and risks to local water and soil quality. She is also a co-founder of Ballarat’s Good Karma Network, supporting community connection and practical assistance for those in need.

Melissa is running as your candidate in Wendouree because she believes a better future is possible — one where animals are treated with dignity, nature is protected for future generations, and everyone has the opportunity to live a healthy, secure, and fulfilling life. When she is not campaigning, she enjoys habitat restoration, stained-glass art, and painting.

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