By JESSE GRAHAM
APPLAUSE rang out in the Yarra Ranges Council chambers last night, when councillor Jim Child announced he would stand for the State election.
Cr Child, a former mayor and long-standing councillor, announced during the meeting that he would contest the election for The Nationals in the Eildon electorate.
After making the announcement, a group of supporters – including Friends of Forestry member, Graham Taylor – in the public gallery broke out in applause.
Cr Child said that he was honoured to be the candidate for The Nationals, and that his candidacy would be a continuation of his work in the community.
“I have always been committed to my local community and this campaign is an opportunity to take that commitment to another level,” he said.
The Nationals’ State Director, Jenny Hammett, said there had been “strong requests” in the community to field a candidate, citing the party’s advocacy for the food and forestry industries.
Despite Cr Child now running against Liberal candidate and current-Seymour MP, Cindy McLeish, Ms Hammett said the Coalition would have a strong presence in the 29 November election.
“There is knowledge and agreement within the Coalition partnership that the voters in Eildon are best served by a strong Coalition presence in the election campaign,” she said.
Cr Child will also be up against Labor candidate Sally Brennan, the Greens’ Marie Sellstrom and Independent candidate, Bruce Argyle.
He said that he would spend the next three months visiting towns and communities through the electorate – which stretches from Warburton to Mansfield – and listening to voters’ interests.
In an email to Friends of Forestry subscribers, Mr Graham praised Cr Child for his candidacy, and said he was “ideal” to run in the election.
For the full story, see next week’s Mail.
