Fortunately your readers base their assessments of people on their actions rather than Wikipedia, so I have no concerns about Mr Pearce hiding his Liberal Party connections or his pathetic attempts at character assassination.

Mr Pearce and the local Liberal Party, in their criticism of Workspace 2580, community partnerships, coworking spaces and collaboration, are acting in complete opposition to the NSW Government’s State Plan and a range of Liberal policies which aim for “jobs and growth” in regional NSW.

For the public record, whilst I am Chair of Community Plus Inc , a registered charity with the ACNC, we are a volunteer organisation, with a hardworking volunteer committee working in partnership with other local organisations for the greater benefit of the Southern Tablelands region. We receive no public funding, and Workspace2580 is a ‘social enterprise’ meaning it is an organisation that pays its way, and reinvests in community projects.

Let me be very clear, Mr Pearce, I do not receive any remuneration from Workspace2580 and have in fact contributed several thousand dollars to the project, as have others. Workspace2580 is a social enterprise established as a partnership between Community Plus Inc and the Goulburn Mulwaree Council.

Community Plus Inc has fundraised and invested more than $60,000 and thousands of volunteer hours to create a community hub, with the support of Goulburn Mulwaree Council and the Veolia Mulwaree Trust, in a building that could not be rented by the council, but which is a community asset. Community Plus paid no rent while the building was being refurbished by volunteers, and is paying a reduced rent while the council fixes legacy maintenance issues.

Workspace2580 also operates as a coworking space for fledgling businesses, and provides office spaces to a number of services that provide outreach services into the community. Some may receive grant funding, others do not. The common factors are they are not working full time, in isolation, or with vulnerable and difficult clients. Settlement Services International, Relationships Australia, Landcare, International Volunteers for Peace, One Door Mental Health, Southern Tablelands Arts are some of the co-located services.

We support students studying through the University of Canberra, the Open University, Canberra Institute of Technology, TAFE NSW, the Office of Environment and Heritage and the Smith Family .

We are an NDIS registered provider for community education programs, and provide a range of free workshops, talks and events for community members.

The Business Enterprise Centre has space in Workspace2580 and supports work experience programs in the region and the small businesses that are located in our community. It is an outreach service from Queanbeyan. We charge fair rent for the offices and facilities provided, as required by our partnership agreement with Goulburn Mulwaree Council.

Finally, Mr Pearce, I work hard to contribute to our local community, in ways that you would never know or understand. As a candidate for public office I have every right to be involved in any publicly funded entity I want to.

Workspace2580 is supported by ratepayers and community organisations, is recognised as a key entry point for governments at all levels to engage with the community and has had more than 8000 people through the doors since it opened in September 2016.

I am happy to be judged on the actions I take to work with, and advocate for our community, unlike Mr Pearce, the armchair spear thrower of the local Liberals.