From Beirut to Cudal: Nurse and farmer Kate Hazelton nominates for Nationals

Mrs Hazelton, a mother of three, nurse, farmer and business owner with husband Richard, will bring a lot of life experience to her bid to be pre-selected for the seat of Orange at the March 23 state election.

She was the only person to nominate for the Nationals when applications closed on Monday and will have to a wait for meeting of party members in Orange on February 2 to being endorsed.

Mrs Hazelton will be seeking to win back the seat from Shooters Party member Phil Donato who won at the 2016 byelection.

She married into the district’s famous Hazelton aviation family. Founder Max Hazelton is her husband’s uncle.

 “I am a country girl. I spent most of my childhood in Young before sent to school overseas,” she said.

“I spent a year in wartorn Beirut which was pretty horrendous. And that gave me a lot of insight into life.

“I helped the wounded and I was inexperienced in that, I was only 21.”

She said she had been teaching English there when the war erupted.

“I know what it is like to be shot at,” she said.

Mrs Hazelton said after returning to Australia she worked for the ABC.

“I joined the Army Reserve with the nursing corps and then I was one of the first women to be trained as a combat medic. I loved that, I loved being outside,” she said

She said her six years service in Australia entitled her to call herself a veteran and wear a service medal.

Mrs Hazelton then met her husband and moved to Cudal where they run a farm that primarily produces hay but they also run agricultural businesses.

“I became heavily involved in the community because I really believe in being involved,” she said.

“I’ve been involved with the CWA, the P&C, the Cudal Agricultural Society, and then with the RSL and Legacy in Orange because I am a proud supporter of veterans in our community.

“I also support disability services, and then I went back to nursing and I work with aged care.” 

She said she identified with the bush and wanted to represent country people.

“I'm a farmer but I’m also a townie,” she said.

Her daughter, Annie, works in Nationals leader John Barilaro’s office.

Mrs Hazelton said she was determined to make her voice heard, even when it was against party policy.

“Sydney is hundreds of miles away that’s where they are. I’m here in this area, this electorate,” she said.

Electoral Council chairman Jeff Herdegen said Mrs Hazelton “presents pretty well” and would be a good candidate.