Background
Cheeseman was born in Christchurch, New Zealand. He grew up in Ballarat and attended Mount Clear College.
Cheeseman was born in Christchurch, New Zealand. He grew up in Ballarat and attended Mount Clear College.
He later studied for a Bachelor of Applied Science in Geology at the University of Ballarat.
Cheeseman lost the seat to the Liberal Party of Australia"s Sarah Henderson at the 2013 federal election. He worked for the Association for the Blind, and during that time also served as a Councillor for the City of Ballarat. Later he worked for the Community and Public Sector Union.
In 2006 Cheeseman contested Labor preselection for Corangamite against the Labor candidate in 2004, former Geelong mayor Peter McMullin.
Having secured preselection, he went on to defeat longtime Liberal incumbent Stewart McArthur with a 6.6% swing. McArthur had held the seat since 1984.
However, he was defeated when Henderson prevailed in 2013. Cheeseman sought Labor preselection for Corangamite in 2015, but was defeated by Surf Coast Shire Councillor Libby Coker.