THE Mallee has always been home to Zac Martin.
The region has played a huge role throughout his life, and he believes his Mallee upbringing has helped to shape the person he is today.
Hoping to give back to his local community, Mr Martin has nominated as a candidate in the Buloke Shire Council by-election for Mallee ward, following the resignation of former councillor David Vis.
Invested in the local area, Mr Martin hails from a farming family.
“My family are fourth generation farmers and I work in agriculture myself,” he said.
Having grown up in Nandaly and completing his schooling in Sea Lake, Mr Martin said he was very familiar with the Mallee ward and the local communities within it.
“I am a member of the CFA and am enthusiastic about sport,” he said, noting he plays football for the Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers, tennis for the Nandaly Tennis Club and is an off-road motoring enthusiast.
Mr Martin just purchased his first home in Sea Lake and has an optimistic outlook for the future.
“I want to be able to do my part in a place which has done so much to help improve my life and those around me,” Mr Martin said.
“I hope that I can represent a newer generation, stepping up to meet the challenges the region faces, being receptive to input from the entire community.”
Mr Martin believes his strong connection within the community will enable him to be an effective voice within the Buloke Shire Council.
“I am an enthusiastic local who knows the issues that towns face in the shire,” he said.
“A community mindset is highly valuable to me and will allow effective communication with residents to understand their needs and the ability to work with council to achieve them.”
Improved infrastructure, tourism and technological advances are some of the issues Mr Martin would like to see addressed at a local level.
“Residents of the area want to see that they are getting value for money with efficient services and well maintained infrastructure, in particular local roads,” he said.
“The continued improvement of tourism opportunities is significant. I also believe that capitalising on advances in technology is very important, creating opportunities for heightened access to healthcare, education, training and skills development.”
Mr Martin said if elected, he would provide a “responsive and transparent voice to all members of the shire through community forums and local input”.
Bernadette Hogan, Charmaine Delaney, Kevin O’Dea, Jennifer Muscat and Nel Kershaw are the other candidates in the by-election, which is being conducted by post this month.
