Sharon Davies was a single working parent of three children and a part time student at the University of Newcastle when she ran for the seat of Patterson in 2001. She chose to run for the Australian Democrats because she was disenchanted with the major parties' adversarial style and preferred the Democrats' efforts to create confidence and self-esteem in all Australians.

Sources used to compile this entry: http://www.democrats.org.au/people/index.htm?election (accessed 12 September 2005).