Opposition rural and regional Australian and workplace relations assistant spokeswoman Lisa Chesters toured the region on Sunday and Monday.

She visited Nhill on Monday. 

Hindmarsh mayor Debra Nelson said it was positive to have any politician come and visit the region.

“About half of politicians don’t even know where Dimboola is,” she said.

“Many have heard of Nhill because of the Karen people, but they can’t point it out on a map.

“We don’t get many federal politicians here, so it’s great when they are willing to come and listen to us.

“It gives them a new appreciation of our distance issues too,”

Cr Nelson said while in Nhill, Ms Chesters visited Luv-a-Duck.

“That was an eye-opener for her – it’s an interesting place for people and the production there is amazing,” she said.

“She also visited the Paw Po shop in Nhill and bought a coffee from Oliver’s – both businesses are social enterprises in the town.

“Those shops show the good strength we have in Nhill.

“The Nhill Learning Centre is fantastic and these businesses fill up our shops.”

Cr Nelson said Ms Chesters also met with Hindmarsh staff and councillors.

“We had about 20 people at the meeting and Lisa was interested in all our issues,” she said.

“We talked about problems with black spots, transport, population and infrastructure – it’s the same story really but the more people we tell the better it will be in the long run.

“She found it very informative.”

Ms Chesters is also the federal member for Bendigo.