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How-to-vote election volunteers

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Ready to help: Party volunteers handing out how-to-vote cards outside St Brendan’s Primary School in Shepparton on Saturday. Photo by Murray Silby

It seems they are always there, whenever you vote, wherever you vote, dressed in their colourful shirts, with their handfuls of paper and cardboard cards.

They are the how-to-vote volunteers, who eagerly walk towards you thrusting their information your way should you require the assistance.

It prompts the question though, who are they and why do they do it?

Several the News spoke with during Saturday’s voting knew someone, who knew someone, who needed a hand.

All supported the politics of the candidate they were helping and all seemed to be in an infinitely good mood.

Sibling help: Husband and wife volunteers Christine and Tim Sheed were assisting Mr Sheed's younger sister Suzanna Sheed, the incumbent sitting independent member for Shepparton, during voting in Tatura on Saturday. Photo by Murray Silby

One how-to-vote volunteer at Tatura, who knows someone, was Tim Sheed, who was attempting to get sitting member Suzanna Sheed across the line for another term in state parliament.

“Suzanna’s my younger sister, yes,” he said.

“We’re very proud of what she’s done and achieved so we’ve come from Portarlington to handout.

“We’ve done it in the previous two elections as well.

“A bit of family solidarity.”

Far from the acrimony political campaigns are sometimes associated with, though, Mr Sheed said voters had been more than cordial when approached.

“People, who are walking through, are really, it’s almost a festive day, and they make the best of it,” he said.

“If they have to vote, they’re going to have some fun doing it.

“So that’s good.”

Mr Sheed said he thought his sister could be returned to parliament despite the challenges from the Nationals and Liberals.

“I think she’s got as good a chance as she’s ever had, I think, but just what’s shifted I don’t know,” Mr Sheed said.

Doing his bit: Paul Atkinson volunteered for the Greens in the hope more will be done for the environment. Photo by Murray Silby

Another of the how-to-vote volunteers at Tatura was Paul Atkinson, who was handing out Greens how-to-vote cards.

He said the response had been welcoming among voters.

“People are friendly and supportive and got a good understanding,” he said.

“Everyone’s been helping out each other and supporting each other, even if you’re from different parties.”

Mr Atkinson said he helped out the Greens because of his concern for the environment.

“This is my way of doing my bit to address global warming,” he said.

For the family: Volunteers David Wilson and Helen Kirkbride were helping family connections on Saturday.

Over in Merrigum, in the seat of Euroa, David Wilson and Helen Kirkbride were the sole how-to-vote volunteers standing outside the town’s primary school.

Mr Wilson was representing Nationals candidate Annabelle Cleeland and Mrs Kirkbride was helping Liberals candidate Brad Hearn.

“My brother-in-law is part of the National Party and he’s asked me to volunteer,” Mr Wilson said.

He said it was not just about helping out a family member, but also about the cause.

“The politics are pretty strong. It’s the right party because it’s the country party,” he said.

Mr Wilson also reported a cordial environment outside the polling booth.

“It’s a friendly atmosphere,” he said.

Mrs Kirkbride said she has family reasons for supporting Mr Hearn in the election.

“My son-in-law,” she said. “He’s running for the Liberal Party.”

She also said her involvement was about more than just helping out a family member.

“I agree with a lot of the things he’s saying,” she said.

“We’re farmers.

“Everybody thinks Liberals aren’t farmers, but Brad’s a farmer.

“He’s grown up on a farm.

“He’s a school teacher and a principal.

“Everyone’s friendly and we’ve had a good chat,” she said.

Bright sparks: There was plenty of colour on show at the Ardmona Primary School on Saturday, including volunteers (from left) Jacqui Francis, Greg Martin, Yvonne Wratten and Kevin and June Reid. Photo by Murray Silby