A walk through the Benalla markets on a Saturday morning shows the city is most definitely in election mode.
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A bright orange tent full of smiling volunteers and pamphlets is the unmistakable mark of independent Cathy McGowan’s re-election campaign.
After a few more steps past the fresh produce and crafts, Eric Kerr is one of the people in red Labor T-shirts on the campaign trail. Liberal Party volunteers in blue have set up in prime position next to the aviation club’s toy airplane.
Election issues are also on the minds of the people, from regulars at the markets to visiting stallholders.
David and April Herbert moved from Melbourne to Benalla with their three children, Ethan,13, Sienna,12, and Chenel, 9, in January and quickly discovered not everything is as easily accessible as in the city.
“We’re new to Benalla, so we’re new to country life,” Mr Herbert says.
They love the quieter lifestyle and the children’s school, but not the fact they either have to wait a week to see a doctor or travel 30 minutes to Wangaratta.
“The health system is a bit hard to get into,” Mrs Herbert says.
Neither are fans of the extra-long election campaign.
While they have already switched their enrollment details to Indi and have a keen interest in policies which will benefit their children, they are playing it smart and will research the candidates closer to polling day.
“I’m a passionate voter because I feel my vote counts,” Mr Herbert says.
A farmer’s market is also the perfect place for residents who feel strongly about directly supporting farmers in the region to buy produce grown in the North East.
Benalla’s Tricia Veale is a retired scientist with a long history of working with farmers.
She has been pleased to see the Indi candidates head out to talk to farmers themselves during the dairy crisis.
“I think it’s important to look after the farming community,” she says.
“They are the people who produce our food.”
The politicians response to the farmers will have a major impact on who Mrs Veale votes for on election day.
“It’s not the people or the parties, but it’s the policies they’re working for and what they stand for,” she said.