Sharon Claydon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sharon Claydon
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| Member of the Australian Parliament for Newcastle |
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| Assumed office 7 September 2013 |
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| Preceded by | Sharon Grierson |
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| Born | 26 April 1964 Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia |
| Political party | Australian Labor Party |
| Residence | Newcastle |
| Occupation | Anthropologist Politician |
Sharon Claydon, born on April 26, 1964, is an Australian politician. She is a member of the Labor Party. She has been a representative for Newcastle, New South Wales, in the Australian Parliament since September 2013.
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Sharon Claydon's Early Life
Sharon Claydon was born in Camperdown, New South Wales, on April 26, 1964. Her dad, Kevin, was a soldier in the Australian Army. She went to her first school at Holsworthy Barracks. He left the army after serving in Vietnam in 1970.
Her family then lived in Bermagui for a few years. There, she learned to ride horses. Later, they moved to New Lambton Heights in Newcastle. Sharon attended Lambton High School there.
After school, Sharon started studying arts and law at the University of Sydney. She left after two years to return to Newcastle. Through a job center, she found work at Helen Springs Station in the Northern Territory. She was hired as a gardener. Later, she also worked as a jillaroo (a female trainee on a cattle station) and a camp cook.
After a few years, Sharon returned to New South Wales. She worked for a group that helps people with disabilities. She later went back to university and earned a degree in anthropology. She then started a PhD about political representation in the Bunuba Aboriginal community. This led her to move to Fitzroy Crossing, Western Australia. She worked in remote Aboriginal communities for almost ten years before returning to Newcastle.
Sharon Claydon's Political Journey
Sharon Claydon joined the Australian Labor Party (ALP) in 1999. She worked for federal politicians Allan Morris and Sharon Grierson. She was a delegate for state conferences starting in 2002. She also became a delegate for national conferences from 2007.
She was part of the state administrative committee. She also served on the national policy forum. In 2008, she was elected to the Newcastle City Council.
Joining the Australian Parliament
In July 2012, Sharon Claydon announced she would try to become the Labor Party's candidate for the seat of Newcastle. This happened after Sharon Grierson decided to retire. At that time, the Newcastle Herald newspaper called her "a popular figure." They noted she was well-connected within the Labor Party.
She was elected to the House of Representatives in the 2013 federal election.
Sharon Claydon's Role in Parliament
Sharon Claydon has been on the speaker's panel since 2015. This means she can help lead discussions in the House of Representatives. She has also been the deputy chair of two important committees. These are the joint select committee for the National Redress Scheme and the House standing committee on social policy and legal affairs.
In her role, she has spoken up for people who have been victims of institutional abuse. She has worked to raise awareness that many people were still waiting for help. She is a member of the Labor Left group within her party.
In July 2022, after the Labor Party won the election, Sharon Claydon was chosen for a new role. She became the party's choice for Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Sharon Claydon's Community Involvement
Sharon Claydon is involved in her local community. She is currently a patron of the Stockton Historical Society. She has also served as the treasurer for the Newcastle Aboriginal Support Group.
