Cassandra Fernando facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Cassandra Fernando
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Official portrait, 2023
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| Member of the Australian Parliament for Holt |
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| Assumed office 21 May 2022 |
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| Preceded by | Anthony Byrne |
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| Born | 18 September 1987 Colombo, Sri Lanka |
| Political party | Labor |
| Alma mater | Box Hill Institute |
| Occupation | Pastry cook Trade unionist |
Cassandra Fernando was born on September 18, 1987, in Sri Lanka. She is an Australian politician and a former trade union worker. Since May 2022, she has been a member of parliament (MP) for the area of Holt in Victoria. She is part of the Labor Party. Cassandra Fernando is also the first woman born in Sri Lanka to become an MP in the Australian parliament.
Early Life and Work
Cassandra Fernando was born in Sri Lanka. When she was 11 years old, in 1999, she moved to Australia with her parents. She grew up in a place called Dandenong North, Victoria.
She studied hospitality and also has a certificate in education support. For nearly 15 years, Cassandra worked at Woolworths in Dandenong Plaza. During this time, she also worked as a pastry chef.
Later, she became involved with the Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association (SDA). This is a group that helps workers. She first became a "delegate," which means she represented other workers. After that, she worked for five years as an "organiser" for the SDA, helping to arrange activities and support for members.
Journey into Politics
In March 2022, Cassandra Fernando was chosen by the Labor Party to run for the seat of Holt. This happened after the previous MP, Anthony Byrne, decided to retire.
She successfully won the election in May 2022. Since July 2022, Cassandra Fernando has been part of several important committees in the House of Representatives. These committees include the Standing Committee for Employment, Education and Training, the Standing Committee for Migration, and the Parliamentary Library Committee. These groups work on different topics to help make laws and improve the country.
Personal Life
Cassandra Fernando lives in Narre Warren South. She is still a member of the SDA. She is also involved with local community groups, including the Cranbourne Chamber of Commerce and the Cranbourne Historical Society.
