Kate Makin to stand for Corangamite Shire Council

Mrs Makin, whose husband is former Corangamite Shire councillor and mayor Matt Makin and vied for Liberal candidacy in the seat of Wannon, said she is excited by the prospect of representing her local community and playing a role in the future of the broader shire area.

"I want to bring a different point of view to the table. Being a mother with a young family who and heavily involved in the community gives me a great understanding of the challenges and opportunities in raising a family here in Corangamite Shire," she said.

"I grew up on a dairy farm in Glenfyne and went to school in Timboon and Terang. I've worked in the community for over 20 years, my youngest children attend the local school and I have regular contact with other young mums and understand what particular issues are at the forefront for them."

She said her main focus for the next four years, if elected, would be the coronavirus recovery.

"I'm looking to see the region and businesses recover from COVID-19," she said.

"We're a resilient community and I'm sure we will recover but it will take a long time and I'm sure affect a lot of what council can and can't do in the coming months.

"I want to promote local tourism getting everyone out into their own backyard for a day drive, spend locally, rather than heading to somewhere like Queensland for a holiday."

Mrs Makin said her husbands previous roles on council had no influence on her decision to put her hand up.

"It's had no influence on my decision he finished up on council eight years ago, a lot has changed in eight years," she said.

"The whole way of running council has changed it's an entirely new ballgame and a fresh start.

"I am my own voice, I'm running this campaign and yes I have Matt's backing but it's me who is standing, this is what I want to do."

She is active in the community and has held various roles on large community-based organisations including Timboon parkrun, Timboon Demons Football Netball Club and the Timboon Basketball Association.

In recent years she has also sat on the Timboon Pool Committee, Timboon and District Healthcare Service's Clinical Governance, Quality and Credentialing Committee and Timboon Recreation Reserve Committee of Management among other roles.

She and her husband own a local dairy services business which she said gave her a strong understanding of the importance of farming to the future of the region.

"I love this community, it's home for our family, my husband Matt and our three boys and I feel that I have much to offer our ward and our shire," she said.

"We are in trying times...2020 has been a difficult time for us all and how we adapt and recover from this will be critical to our local community and economy.

"The lack of international visitors for the foreseeable future is having a huge impact on local tourism and this impact trickles through the whole economy.

"We can't underestimate the psychological impact to our community that the current health crisis has caused through financial hardship and loss of income, loss of recreational opportunities for both adults and children and a fear of the unknown.

"The physical and mental health and wellbeing of our community and ensuring our services and facilities are kept up to date and reflective of our current needs is vitally important.

"Corangamite Shire is a great place to live and raise a family. We're resilient people here and we're great in a crisis.

"I'll work hard to help us recover and prosper with a stronger economy, great facilities and services. I want us to be the place of choice for people to live, work, visit and stay."

READ MORE:

Have you signed up to The Standard's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in the south-west.