The good, the bad and the controversial of Cathy McGowan's six years as an MP have been enshrined in history in the form of thousands of newspaper articles.
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Volunteers collected the clippings over the former MP's two terms in Parliament and have collated them into 40 albums, which will remain on display at the Wangaratta Library.
Ms McGowan was at the library on Wednesday evening as they were officially presented and said it was right that the collection remained in public hands.
"I just love that this collection of work is here in the library at Wangaratta and researchers can find it, people can use it and it's in a safe place," she said.
"I hope it's the beginning of lots of other people's memoirs and stories, not just of politicians ... Libraries more and more are claiming the space of being keepers of our history and our culture."
I just love that this collection of work is here in the library at Wangaratta.
- Cathy McGowan
One of the notable articles she pointed to was written by Nigel McNay for The Border Mail in 2013 where he quoted then MP Scott Morrison, who was supporting Sophie Mirabella to get re-elected.
"In a swipe at Ms McGowan, Mr Morrison said 'independents can come and then they go'," the article stated.
This prompted a laugh from those gathered at the event.
"I would like to say something about prime ministers at this point, but I won't," Ms McGowan said.
"But I'm really pleased that he was wrong and we were right."
IN OTHER NEWS:
The event coincided with the sixth anniversary of Ms McGowan being declared the winner of the 2013 Indi election.
"It really does record something in our time," she said.
"Print media is still alive in North East Victoria and it's still profitable so I hope it stays that way for quite a long time."
Her successor as Indi MP Helen Haines is in Parliament in Canberra this week, but sent a letter that was read out at the event.
"It's a fine and important legacy and quite an act for me to follow," she said.
She pointed out an early Canberra Times article where on Ms McGowan's first day in Parliament, then speaker Anna Burke told new MPs not to claim expenses to attend weddings - like Tony Abbott controversially did for the wedding of Sophie and Greg Mirabella - then reported that McGowan broke the rules herself by taking a selfie in the House of Representatives.
