Karen Hyslop changed her nomination for the Northern Grampians Shire Council elections right on the deadline

The decision, which she said was the right one, came after nominations fell short for Northern Grampians Shire Council.

Eagerly refreshing the Victorian Electoral Commission website, Mrs Hyslop grew concerned about the possible outcome.

"We were looking at needing an election for the Stawell ward, and two by-elections, one in Kara Kara and one in South West," she said.

"We would have only had five councillors going forward until those by-elections. I'm not sure how council would have coped with only five.

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"I wanted Lauren Dempsey to join the council and my fellow councillors - so I made the decision to withdraw my nomination from Stawell ward and nominate in Kara Kara."

Mrs Hyslop the farming community was what drew her into choosing Kara Kara over the South West ward.

"I know a lot of people in the Kara Kara ward and have worked closely with residents over the past eight years," she said.

"It is a big ward. I also love St Arnaud. It's a beautiful town with lots of heritage buildings and gardens.

"It has so much potential."

Mrs Hyslop said if she had of known she could have gone through the process of withdrawing and renominating sooner, than 10 minutes before the cut-off.

"I didn't know the option was there. Once I realised what I could do it, it was an easy decision," she said.

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"I'm really looking forward to working with St Arnaud and the residents within the Kara Kara ward.

"I'm very passionate about the farming community and I feel the Kara Kara ward allows me to be an advocate for that group within the shire as it is a big farming community.

"The Kara Kara ward is such a large farming community. It was another reason moving wards was an easy decision.

"At the end of the day, I will be advocating for what the community wants."

Mrs Hyslop said she was looking forward to working on two projects in St Arnaud like the Lord Nelson Park redevelopment.

"The contracts have just been awarded for that, so that's a real positive," she said.

"It's been on the cards for a long time. I've been to football and netball over there and seen the clubrooms and seen the conditions the community is having to put up with.

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"It's utilised by so many community, sporting and school groups. To have that facility there is going to be a big plus."

Mrs Hyslop said since changing her nomination she had received a positive response from both the Kara Kara residents and the Stawell residents.

"In the next few weeks I will be catching up with some residents and people who have reached out and I'm really looking forward to getting out into the community," she said.

"Even though I have represented the Stawell ward in the past, and will be for Kara Kara in the future, my decisions are always based what is best for the Northern Grampians Shire as a whole.

"I am one of seven. You aren't making decisions on your own."

Mrs Hyslop said despite the frantic 10 minutes, she was proud and certain she has done the right thing in the interest of the community.

"I got to the election office at about seven minutes to 12 and when the alarm went off at 12 we just got it in," she said.

"It was all very rushed.

"I didn't realise how much elections costs - but since gaining an idea, it's just another reason why I know I've made the right decision."

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