On Thursday November 4, Ms Kealy introduced herself to Stawell residents, discussing issues they raised and she also spoke with the Northern Grampians Shire Council.

Ms Kealy said she wanted to take the time to visit Stawell to gain a better understanding of the township prior to the lead up to the 2022 Victorian election.

"It has been a really good day. I am close to some people in Stawell already, but it is a good opportunity to come and meet people in the town and business owners and introduce myself," she said.

"The visit also gives me the opportunity to find out what makes the town tick.

"The general optimism and positivity has really struck me and is quite phenomenal for the community.

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"I want to know what gives Stawell its unique identity.

"Every town is completely different and I always find it quite an honour to talk to people and have the permission in my job to strike up a conversation with anybody.

"I get to ask them about what they are doing and what their passion is."

Ms Kealy said on Thursday November 4 she spent time speaking to residents with a number of key issues raised.

"I have spent a lot of time in Stawell walking on Main Street, introducing myself and hearing about some of the key issues are for the region and finding out what are some of the opportunities for the region," she said.

"People brought up some of the issues around the tightness of housing in the region.

"The challenge around housing in regional areas was one and we are seeing that here in Stawell as much as everyone else.

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"With growth in jobs at the mine and other industries, it seems like most businesses are looking at how they can grow.

"The challenge is how can we attract people to the region and how do we make sure our housing meets the criteria."

In the lead up to the 2022 Victorian election, Ms Kealy said she was looking forward learning more about Stawell and surrounds.

"In our jobs as politicians and elected representatives it is our jobs to listen and to be community advocates instead of politicians," she said.

"I think everyone is a bit sick of politics and politicians and they just want to see someone stand with their community and help their ideas become a reality."

Ms Kealy was born and raised in the Wimmera, calling Edenhope home for many years.

Ms Kealy left the region for her education, completing a degree in Biomedical Science at the University of South Australia.

Ms Kealy has lived and worked in Hamilton, Melbourne and the Northern Territory, before making the decision to return to Edenhope to raise her family.

She worked at senior levels in the health sector in the Wimmera before becoming the Member for Lowan in November 2014.

Ms Kealy also confirmed her interest in running as the State Member for Lowan, with official processes and pre-selection to come in 2022.

In opposition, Ms Kealy holds three shadow portfolios as the Shadow Minister for Mental Health, Shadow Minister for Women and Shadow Minister for Prevention of Family Violence.

In November the Victorian Electoral Commission confirmed a series of electoral redistributions with Stawell and Great Western among some areas joining Horsham, Hamilton and Warracknabeal in the Lowan district.

The changes will see which will see an extra 2676 square kilometres and around 9000 voters added to Lowan on November 1, 2022, ahead of the 2022 State election on November 26.

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