DIMBOOLA resident La Vergne Lehmann will nominate as councillor for the east ward of the Hindmarsh Shire Council.
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Council elections across Victoria will be on October 27.
Mrs Lehmann, who works in waste management community education, is also a qualified accountant and has a background in teaching, journalism and tourism.
She also has a desire to see her community thrive.
"I feel quite strongly about making sure the community has the capacity to deal with what it needs to do in the future,'' she said.
"In the 12 years that I have lived in Dimboola, we have seen a lot of changes in our community, along with some testing times because of droughts, fires and floods.
"I think councils, particularly small rural councils, can play a significant role in building resilience in the community.''
Mrs Lehmann, 48, is married with three sons and four step-children.
She said a Parliamentary internship to Canberra earlier this year and meetings with Member for Mallee John Forrest and Queensland-based Member for Hinkler Paul Neville inspired her to stand for council.
"There isn't enough women standing and although I don't think women should be elected because they are a woman, I think it's important to have diversity,'' she said.
Mrs Lehmann said it was important council worked with the community to provide the best outcomes for everyone, and, above all, was accountable to the community.
She said it was her first time nominating for a council but she had always maintained a strong interest in council activities and processes.
"I am standing for council because I believe that I can make a positive contribution to the future of Dimboola and can articulate a vision for what the community wants our town to become in the next few years,'' she said.
"I think it is also important for people to be prepared to stand up and represent the community.''
Mrs Lehmann said through her work she had associations with a wide range of organisations and groups in the Wimmera.
"I have a strong focus on sustainability and the environment, along with small business and agriculture,'' she said.
"I know that the decisions that council makes will not always please everyone, but if we make sure people feel like they are least being genuinely listened to then we can go a long way to having an inclusive and productive community."