Campaign trail, March 2006

Did a tour of the western parts of the electorate. Western Victoria is certainly a beautiful part of the world with very attractive rural cities and towns. The Grampians and coast, including the Great Ocean Road are justifiably famous but it seems that virtually every area has attractions and demonstrate the prosperity that comes from hard work. Unfortunately the effects of a long drought are evident everywhere.

The people of Victoria's country towns were very warm and friendly to me. The people of Melbourne have a great reputation for freindliness towards visitors; but really this the experience most people have travelling throughout Victoria.

Dropped into twelve or so local newspaper offices on the way. I was surprised at the level of interest of the journalists. I was greeted very warmly, photographed and interviewed in Colac, Camperdown, Portland and Horsham. In other towns including Warrnambool, Hamilton, Ararat and Stawell, journalists expressed interest. Some said that they had already run stories but showed an interest in doing more as the campaign develops.

Not being a local was a common theme in interviews and discussions. Most people do not realise yet that the new Upper House electorates are vast. The seat of Western Victoria for example stretches from the South Australian border to include parts of outer Melbourne!

Peter Kavanagh