Annabelle Cleeland is the new State Member for Euroa.
Despite incumbent member Steph Ryan stepping aside, the Nationals retained the seat with 62 per cent of the two-party preferred vote.
Daniel Andrews will remain Premier with Labor forming a majority government.
Ms Cleeland said now the election and campaigning was over she was looking forward to working with the government for the good of the electorate.
“I was fortunate to have a lot of my major commitments matched by Labor,” she said.
“So I feel excited for the next four years, and I know we’re going to execute some transformative projects, such as the redevelopment of Benalla’s Indoor Recreation Centre.”
Ms Cleeland said there were other projects and initiatives important to her that she had yet to get a commitment for.
“(Those include) the Kilmore bypass and community owned hospitals, including Euroa and Nagambie Health,” she said.
“So my priority will be establishing faultless business cases to seek support for those from the government.”
Ms Cleeland said she was looking forward to serving the electorate for the next four years, and that her office would be based in Benalla.
“I’m still very much processing the result,” she said.
“Personally it’s life changing for myself and our family.
“I do want to say how grateful I am for the support of the people in the Euroa district, and the support of everyone who helped with the campaign.
“We had more than150 volunteers on Saturday and huge support throughout my campaigning.
“I’ve done 30,000km in the car in that time.
“I probable didn’t quite comprehend how intense it would be. It’s been pretty much seven days a week for the last three months.
“I tried to get into every small and large town meeting, with every community group possible.
“I wanted to speak to as many people as I could to understand what their local issues and needs were.
“The focus of the campaign was about community advocacy.
“It’s been a huge three months and I think I’m still coming down from the adrenalin rush from Saturday night.”
Ms Cleeland said she would like to acknowledge the other candidates for the seat of Euroa.
“It’s a big personal and professional sacrifice to step down from safe employment to run for government and represent a community you love,” she said.
While Ms Cleeland came out on top overall, Liberal Party Candidate Brad Hearn, who lives in Benalla, got more votes in local voting centres including Benalla, Benalla West and Baddaginnie.
The top three candidates in the Euroa electorate’s primary first preference voting were:
- Annabelle Cleeland (Nationals) — 34.7 per cent;
- Angele Tough (Labor) — 29.43 per cent; and
- Brad Hearn (Liberal) — 21.05 per cent
Ms Cleeland said one of her first jobs would be to talk to government ministers.
“Its about teamwork now, to makes sure regional Victoria gets the slice of the pie that we deserve,” she said.
“I think this election has highlighted the power of Victoria’s regional voice.”
Ms Cleeland thanked outgoing State Member for Euroa Steph Ryan for mentoring her throughout the campaign.
“If I had a dollar for every time someone told me I had big shoes to fill I’d be very rich,” she said.
“So it’s a lot of pressure and expectations, and I hope I do the role justice.
“I have seen how she has been a passionate, community-focused advocate and I hope to continue that.”