STANDING as a councillor is in the blood of Warracknabeal's Malcolm Woods.
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Mr Woods, 35, will nominate as a candidate in the Yarriambiack Shire Council elections.
Mr Woods' father William (Bill) Hedley Woods was a councillor for the Warracknabeal Shire Council and his grandfather Herbert Hedley Woods was a councillor for the Borung Shire.
"My grandfather served Borung Shire for many years and received an Order of British Empire for service, and my father was in his 29th year of office when the shires were amalgamated," Mr Woods said.
"As a kid there was barely a meal time where council wasn't spoken about at the kitchen table and a constant stream of visits to see dad about council things.
"I know dad was very proud and honoured to serve the people of Warracknabeal and district. So I guess you can say it is in my blood.''
Mr Woods said he believed retaining young people in the shire and improving infrastructure such as roads and bridges were important council issues.
"Recently I spent some time in the historical centre, which was very interesting," he said. "History tells us that if we can dream it, we can achieve it.
"After starting my own business three-and-a-half years ago, I have learnt that nothing is impossible and that everything comes from a single idea.
"This has already been proven, back in the 1920s when 100 building blocks were created for development around the high school area. People showed tremendous faith in the project.
"We need to look at things from a different perspective, with fresh ideas and a back to basics mentality. It is time for a bit of youth on council.''
Mr Woods said Warracknabeal and Yarriambiack Shire was a great place to live, work and raise a family.
"While the youth are our future, we also need to address our present. Youth are leaving the district as employment opportunities are decreasing,'' he said.
"To address the decline in these opportunities, we really need to begin to focus on retaining jobs in the district. How do we do this? Through industry, infrastructure, tourism and services."
Mr Woods said 2011 Census data showed the median age in the 3393 postcode was 48 and the average household income was $751 a week.
"If we don't attract and encourage industry, infrastructure, tourism and services, the median age of residents is only set to continue to increase with no attractive job opportunities for younger people,'' he said.
"Through positive planning and listening to the constituents of the electorate, I believe that as a council, we can address the concerns of the community and make positive inroads into creating a vibrant community."