One Nation picks food bank coordinator for Ovens Valley seat
James Rouel, who turns 32 this week, coordinates Moira FoodShare and is One Nation's candidate against Nationals incumbent McCurdy.
James Rouel, who turns 32 this week, has been preselected to challenge Tim McCurdy in the Victorian seat of Ovens Valley. Rouel coordinates Moira FoodShare, a service that supports more than 5000 people in need across 29 towns stretching from Barmah to Bundalong in Victoria and into the Berrigan Shire in NSW.
Rouel has held the role since September 2022. Before that, Rouel worked nearly 10 years for the Bendigo Tennis Association, including as its executive officer.
He previously worked as a deli assistant at Ritchies supermarket while at high school. McCurdy holds Ovens Valley by a margin of 17.8 per cent, making it one of Victoria's safest Coalition seats.
He has been the state MP since 2010, first for Murray Valley then for Ovens Valley since 2014.
- 32
- Candidate age
- 5000 people across 29 towns
- Food bank reach
- Since September 2022
- Coordinator tenure
- McCurdy since 2010
- Parliamentary tenure
Why it mattersOvens Valley is a heavily Nationals-held seat, so Rouel faces a steep climb, but his strong local community links in food security may build grassroots support.
AustraliaThis affects Victorian voters in the Alpine, Wangaratta and Moira areas who will see One Nation campaign for the seat in the 2026 state election.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 9 d ago
