Our Electorate
Our electorate of Nicholls spans far and wide and is home to fantastic and friendly people. It covers some of the southernmost ranges of the Great Divide, in which the vibrant towns of Seymour, Broadford and the Puckapunyal Army base are nestled.
In the central part of the electorate are the alluvial flatlands that span either side of the Goulburn River as it flows through the towns of Nagambie, Murchison and Toolamba.
The Goulburn then junctions with the Broken River in Shepparton while the north of the electorate is the Murray River towns of Yarrawonga, Cobram and Echuca and the agricultural centres of Kyabram, Rochester, Nathalia and Numurkah
Nicholls is the Food Bowl of Australia, born on highly fertile soils, and has a network of irrigation channels that backs a thriving agricultural sector. We are major producers of apples, pears, and peaches. This fruit is also processed in our region and many of the tins of tomatoes, beans, and peaches, (to name a few) in your pantry are made in our region. These factories employ hundreds of people and help feed the world.
We are also located in dairy country and millions of litres of milk come from our region every single day. Milk processors are plenty and employ hundreds of locals to transform milk into high-quality dairy products that make their way into your homes and fridges across the world.
Our production of goods and proximity to Melbourne means we are a transport hub with more than 35 percent of Victorian heavy vehicles registered in our electorate.
Our electorate is incredibly diverse, and I believe is one of the most successful examples of multiculturalism in the world. This includes being home to a vibrant, sophisticated, and evolving Indigenous culture.
People from all over have made their way to this region, often coming with nothing, and have grown to lead extraordinary lives. This is a result of the endless opportunities our region has to offer.
We have great education and locals are well-serviced from their early years of preschool to later years of study at universities and TAFEs. Our growing towns have endless job opportunities in agriculture, health, education, manufacturing, construction and transport.
Our economies are thriving thanks to local businesses. Iconic Australian businesses are home to Nicholls while thousands of small homegrown family-run businesses have set up shop to service our towns and employ thousands.
We are home to fabulous restaurants, cafés and clubs, filled with fine food derived from local produce. We draw thousands of tourists every year for our award-winning wineries.
Yarrawonga, Echuca and Nagambie are tourist hubs – while their closeness to the water draws people in, it’s the bustling streetscapes and stunning countryside produce trails that make tourists stay.
Shepparton Art Museum is one of Australia’s leading art museums housing important collections of historical and contemporary ceramics, significant holdings of Australian art in all media and ever-changing exhibitions.
It acknowledges and celebrates the oldest continuous living culture through the acquisition of artworks by artists with a connection to the Yorta Yorta Country, where the Museum is located. Shepparton’s Museum of Vehicle Evolution (MOVE) is home to a significant collection of rare cars, trucks, and other forms of transport, as well as the Loel Thomson Costume Collection.
Our small towns are of plenty and are equally as charming. Many have put themselves on the map for some of the best silo art in the country. On weekends you’ll find market stalls, coffee hubs and some of the best and interesting people you can find.
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What future are we setting up for those born in the regions now?
We owe it to them to invest, to innovate, to work hard and smart, to ensure opportunity is there for all, as we adapt to a changing future.”
Towns in Nicholls include:
Shepparton, Mooroopna and Kialla, Echuca, Yarrawonga, Kyabram, Seymour, Cobram, Numurkah, Tatura, Broadford, Rochester, Nagambie, Nathalia, Tongala, Rushworth, Gunbower, Lockington, Tungahmah, Dookie, St James, Tallarook, Avenel, Katamatite, Strathmerton, Merrigum, Girgarre and Stanhope.
Learn more about my Vision for Nicholls