My name is Jayden Rivera, I’m 32 (33 at the end of this month) and I have been with the Greens for 14 years.
My journey with the Greens started one election in 2011. I went down to my local polling booth unsure about how I would vote. There I ran the gauntlet and got speaking to a volunteer (Erin Moroney) who convinced me to vote Greens. After my vote I ended up sticking around and handing out for the day.
I performed various roles throughout the years in the local group. I ran on Erin’s successful council ticket in 2016 as number 6, which was a surreal experience. I then ran in the state and federal elections 2019, then another run of all 3, before Cate Faerhmann and many others convinced me to run for council due to my “local profile”.
Fast forward to 2024, I was successfully elected to Campbelltown Council, alongside Tao Triebels, and a year later I was elected Deputy Mayor.
I have met so many wonderful people over the years, and from a boy who wouldn’t step foot on a stage without immediate panic, to now delivering speeches and moving motions on things I’m so passionate about, I have my local group, people like Erin Moroney, and many, many others in the Greens to thank for giving me the friendship and guidance I have received over the years.