FORMER Canberra Raiders and Queanbeyan Blues player Terry Campese will run for preselection for Labor in the state seat of Monaro.  

If successful, it will pit the 38-year-old sitting member Nichole Overall, who held the seat for the nationals at a by-election after the sudden retirement of controversial deputy NSW premier John Barilaro a year ago, at the March NSW election.

NSW Opposition Leader Chris Minns said: “Terry knows what the people of Monaro and Queanbeyan need in terms of service delivery and support, because he listens and delivers for them as a community worker each and every day.

“I am delighted that Terry has put his hand to take his community service to the next level, in public office.”

Queanbeyan-born Campese captained the Canberra Raiders between 2010 and 2014  and represented NSW in State of Origin and Australia on the international stage. He still plays rugby league as captain-coach of Queanbeyan Blues since 2017.

In 2012 he began the Terry Campese Foundation, a not for profit which is focused on building brighter futures for young people. He has previously been an ambassador for Canteen Cancer, the Ronald McDonald House and a Patron of Raising Hope Education Foundation. He continues to work with the NRL on their roads to regions projects.

“While I am proud to have represented our region, the state and Australia as a professional football player, the most important work I’ve done is as a community worker and with the Terry Campese Foundation,” Campese says.

“I am driven by working in and for the community and I want to take that commitment to the next level.”

During the bushfires, which devastated the Monaro electorate, Terry served as a community recovery officer. He was also active in the fundraising campaign to bring the Queanbeyan sleep-bus to the area.

Today, he works with residents as the Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council community program co-ordinator.

“I’m prepared to work with anyone and everyone to make Monaro a better region.

“It’s time for a fresh start in Monaro and I’m determined to ensure a Minns Labor government delivers better schools and hospitals for our community.”