Victory: Annabelle Cleeland celebrates becoming the new Member for Euroa with supporters on Saturday evening.
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Annabelle Cleeland is the new state Member for Euroa.
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Despite incumbent member Steph Ryan stepping aside, the Nationals retained the seat with 62 per cent of the two-party preferred vote.
Daniel Andrews will remain Premier, with Labor forming a majority government.
Ms Cleeland said now the election and campaigning was over she was looking forward to working with the government for the good of the electorate.
“I was fortunate to have a lot of my major commitments matched by Labor,” she said.
“So I feel excited for the next four years, and I know we’re going to execute some transformative projects such as the redevelopment of Benalla’s Indoor Recreation Centre.”
Ms Cleeland said there were other projects and initiatives important to her for which she had yet to get a commitment.
"(Those include) the Kilmore bypass and community-owned hospitals, including Euroa and Nagambie Health,” she said.
“So my priority will be establishing faultless business cases to seek support for those from the government.”
Ms Cleeland said she was looking forward to serving the electorate for the next four years, and that her office would be in Benalla.
On the campaign trail: Annabelle Cleeland with Federal Nationals leader David Littleproud and outgoing Member for Euroa Steph Ryan.
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“I’m still very much processing the result,” she said.
“Personally it’s life-changing for myself and our family. I do want to say how grateful I am for the support of the people in the Euroa district, and the support of everyone who helped with the campaign.
“We had more than 150 volunteers on Saturday and huge support throughout my campaigning.
“I’ve done 30,000km in the car in that time.”
She said the focus of the campaign was community advocacy.
“It's been a huge three months and I think I’m still coming down from the adrenalin rush from Saturday night,” she said.
Ms Cleeland said she would like to acknowledge the other candidates for the seat of Euroa.
“It’s a big personal and professional sacrifice to step down from safe employment to run for government and represent a community you love,” she said.
Ms Cleeland thanked Ms Ryan for mentoring her throughout the campaign.
“If I had a dollar for every time someone told me I had big shoes to fill I’d be very rich,” Ms Cleeland said.
“So it’s a lot of pressure and expectations, and I hope I do the role justice.
“I have seen how she has been a passionate, community-focused advocate and I hope to continue that.”
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