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YARCK cattle farmer and bed and breakfast operator Robyn Walsh has been announced as the Labor candidate in Indi.

The mother of two adult children will be officially announced as the party’s challenger to Liberal incumbent Sophie Mirabella this weekend.

Yarck is in Murrindindi Shire, which has been added to Indi since the last election.

Mrs Walsh’s endorsement follows a turbulent build-up to the September 14 election for the party in Indi.

Labor had two nominations ahead of the pre-selection deadline — former state member Denise Allen and Wangaratta businessman George Dimopoulos.

But Ms Allen was ruled ineligible due to the length of her membership of a local branch and Mr Dimopoulos withdrew for personal reasons.

Mrs Walsh will require an unlikely 10 per cent swing against Mrs Mirabella to take Indi.

“I have got the right background and understand the issues of local people,” Mrs Walsh said.

“I am happy we have an opportunity to cut through all of the noise that has been going on.

“The Labor Party has got some fantastic policies that are being put out there.

“We need to make the local member talk about the policies the Liberal Party has got.”

Mrs Walsh and her husband, John, breed Angus cattle on their farm and operate a nearby bed and breakfast, Glenfield Cottage.

They have lived at Yarck, near Alexandra, for 14 years.

She is a former teacher and member of the Australian Education Union.

Mrs Walsh has been a member of the party’s local branch for three years.

She said she would be a frequent visitor to the North East during the campaign.

Mrs Mirabella has been the Liberal member for 12 years and has fought off Labor challenges at recent elections from Zuvele Leschen in 2007 and 2010, John Williams in 2004 and Indigo mayor Barb Murdoch in 2001.

Two independent candidates, who are also women, are also contesting the federal poll — Cathy McGowan and Jennifer Podesta.