Tallygaroopna resident Geoff Akers is running for Greater Shepparton City Council, hoping to represent the Pine Lodge ward in 2024.
His family has lived in the area for 112 years, and he has been a Pine Lodge resident his whole life.
Currently, he lives in Tallygaroopna as a dairy farmer with his wife and two children.
According to Mr Akers, running for council is something that’s always been in the back of his mind.
“It’s been something I’ve considered for a long time. With the changes to the wards, it pricked my interest,” he said.
“I think I've got something to offer. I've lived in the ward all my life, and I think this is the time to go.”
He said his favourite thing about Greater Shepparton were the opportunities.
“I've got a young family. One of (my children) is right into sport — every sport — and all those opportunities are there for them.
“The other one's not so much into sport, necessarily, but you know, the facilities are still there. She's into horses, she's into gymnastics and singing, and those sort of opportunities are there.
“Greater Shepparton has opportunities for everybody, no matter what their interests are.”
Living in the area for so long has highlighted both the good and the bad, Mr Akers said.
“I think there's a few council processes we need to sharpen up on. There's a fair bit of red tape if you want to get things done in this town. We need to cut some red tape.
“People come and they want to do things, they want to build a home, they want to invest in business, and they want it to happen quickly. We need to speed up the process as far as getting things done for people.”
He highlighted a focus on attracting international and national investment, and leaning on the region’s strengths, including water resources.
“I think there's a whole lot of primary and intensive agriculture advantages we're not taking up at the moment that the council should focus on,” he said.
“We grow premium food here, and we're good at it, and we should continue to focus on doing it.”
He mentioned the region’s diversity as one of its strengths, specifically first and second-generation Australian families that have established farms and businesses in the area.
“A lot of those families have done terrific things as far as investment locally that have come as a major start, but we've got to continue to lean on them, and attract more national and international investment to grow our local economy.”
Mr Akers has experience as a member of multiple agricultural boards including Dairy Australia, which he was a member of for 12 years, serving as chair from 2013-2017.
He says these roles have given him “rich experience, and a great wealth of knowledge” that he is excited to bring to the table.
“I'm keen to represent my region, and take their voice to council, to be a strong voice for them,” he said.