Chesters was born in Wentworthville, New South Wales.[2] Her parents owned a small business, although her mother Jenny Chesters later completed a PhD as a mature-age student and became an academic.[3]
Prior to her election to parliament, Chesters held senior positions in the Australian Labor Party (Victorian Branch), serving on the administrative committee, as a delegate to state and national conference, and as president of the women's affairs policy committee.[2]
After the 2016 election, Chesters was promoted to Bill Shorten's shadow ministry as a shadow assistant minister, holding the portfolios of "workplace relations" and "rural and regional Australia". She did not retain her place when Anthony Albanese succeeded Shorten as party leader following the 2019 election.[2][5]
Personal life
Chesters is in a long-term relationship with Matt Emond,[6] who was Deputy Mayor of City of Greater Bendigo from 2019 to 2020.[7] Their first child was born in 2019.[6] Their second child was born in 2021.[8] She lives in Kennington, a suburb in Bendigo in Victoria.[9]
In 2018, Chesters was diagnosed with conjuctival melanoma, a rare eye cancer. She received surgical treatment and radiotherapy.[10]
