Incumbent Independent Member for Shepparton, Suzanna Sheed, has conceded that she will not sit a third term in office after the dust settles on today’s Victorian election.
Speaking to her supporter base at her campaign office on Saturday night, Ms Sheed thanked the entire Shepparton community for backing her eight years ago, and again last election.
“The people have spoken,” she said.
“And I've got to say that the last eight years have been just phenomenal. And boy, did we get stuff done. Really I think that's just an outstanding (achievement).
“I've just been so proud to represent Shepparton. When I was sitting in my legal office eight years ago, in October and seeing ministers going everywhere around the state but Shepparton I just thought this isn't good enough. You'll remember that first campaign, Stand Up, Shepparton, It’s Our Turn.
“You all got me in there, and many others who aren't here tonight. And then in 2018, we did it again with Keep Shepparton Proudly Independent.”
Shepparton will return to the Nationals via Kim O’Keeffe, with a predicted 10% swing away from Ms Sheed.
“We've had an incredible run, and we've achieved so much and I should have had my list but I think you all know what we've done,” Ms Sheed said.
“We've got a five story building down there at the hospital, a new emergency department. We've got a mother baby unit that's yet to be built. We've got $163 million mental health unit we've got a billion dollars in rail, so many things that we did.
“I just feel like every day that I've been your local member, that you've held me to account and that I felt accountable, and I worked hard to achieve those things.
“I used all the skills that I have to achieve those things and so I couldn't have done it without the incredible feeling of support that I always got from the community and from everyone that I came into contact with, which just gives you the strength to go on and for that I just thank you all so much because you all helped me do it.
“But I suppose the most important person in this room who helped me do it is (my husband) Peter Eastaugh.
“There's been rough parts along the way as you can imagine. And a lot of time away from home all the things that you do when you are a member of parliament.”
Ms Sheed also made mention of the difference she feels having an Independent in office has made for Shepparton’s future.
"It's just been a great ride, I've thoroughly enjoyed it,“ she said.
“I have absolutely no regrets.
“We can be all really proud of the fact that we have a community who really does value the notion of being an independent, of voting for someone different and taking a chance and I think we've opened up Shepparton to a very different landscape now where Shepparton won’t be taken for granted again.
"They've fought hard to get it back and they have but I don't think we'll see another 47 years of the same party again, I think it's a very different landscape now, and I hope that what I've done might have opened the door and that there's someone out there with a beating heart who wants to take over in four years time.
“And if it's at all possible, I think we'll all be there to really support whoever that that person is.”