You may know Paul Wickham from his Mooroopna pharmacy, but he wants to get even more involved in the Greater Shepparton community.
Later this year, Mr Wickham will be running in the Greater Shepparton City Council local government election in the Goulburn River Ward.
He’s chosen to run in this ward because he lives there, and feels a “local connection” to the area.
“I see a lot of people in my pharmacy, which is probably one reason I feel connected to the Goulburn River Ward,” he said.
“I enjoy the Mooroopna community and have a bit to do with Toolamba as well.”
Mr Wickham has lived in Greater Shepparton for about 20 years, living out of town between Mooroopna and Toolamba, and was born in Kyabram.
He said his main motivation for running for council was the introduction of the ward system, which may be an “opportunity to give a little bit more local representation”.
“(The new structure) might give a little bit more of an opportunity for each (councillor) to raise issues specific to their ward,” he said.
“I think there’s a lot of work that’s already been done to make sure that there’s good representation and that issues and projects are heard from each area.
“This just goes a step further and gives an opportunity for people in a local ward to put their hand up and participate in council, which is I think is a great idea.”
Mr Wickham said the current council “has been doing a fantastic job”.
“We’ve been really fortunate, the last five to 10 years. There's been some real stability within the council, and there’s a great team of people and councillors,” he said.
“We’ve seen a lot of big projects come to fruition, and that’s been through council’s hard work and local politicians.”
If elected, Mr Wickham said he would be “focusing on opportunities for youth”, as well as some “really good opportunities for some improved development”.
Mr Wickham said he hoped the “exciting new way of us approaching council elections” inspired people to run and “really highlight we do have a lot of passionate people in Greater Shepparton”.
“I would love to see a lot of people from each ward that feel passionate, put their hand up and have a go at the local elections,” he said.
“The whole of Greater Shepparton’s a great community, and we’re all one big family.”