Each of the candidates were given the opportunity to provide the community with a final message.

The candidates and their statements are in order of how they will appear on the ballot paper on Saturday.

I'm running for the seat of Ripon because I care about the future of my community.

I'm not a professional politician. I'm not interested in a 'career' in Spring Street, I'm interested in standing up for our community - the community I grew up in.

My working life has been about helping people find jobs, and employment is the most critical issue facing the electorate of Ripon. I've worked with the unemployed and run my own small business so I know about jobs.

The Nationals' $1 billion Regional Growth Fund has helped attract new industries to our towns or has helped existing businesses to expand, creating new jobs for local people.

I will also focus on improving our local health services, schools and rebuilding our local roads.

The Nationals are the only party wholly and solely focused on regional Victoria. By sending another National into Parliament, we strengthen the country voice.

But more than that, I'm asking for your vote because I'm a local bloke who will fight for our community.

I am a farmer living in the Streatham area with interests in both the Ararat and Pyrenees shires.

My priorities include improving farm gate returns for producers and reducing foreign ownership of our farm land and other valuable assets.

I support the introduction of tariff policies to create a level playing field for Australian industries and small business, specifically opposing 'import parity pricing' that imposes unnecessary costs on Australian consumers.

I would like to see more resources directed into our health and education centres to produce best quality outcomes as well an appropriate allocation for roads and rail.

I am opposed to any government subsidies to renewable energy projects.

I am not in favour of any dual legal system and reject the push for Sharia Law having any place within Australia.

I will direct preferences to the party with values and policies reflecting those of the Rise Up Australia Party.

Labor distinguishes itself with a comprehensive plan to tackle the appalling level of unemployment in the state. It is about educations, job training and job creation.

The plan starts with funding entry-level education. The Local Learning and Education Network will be guaranteed funding for the entire term of government.

Next is the $320m commitment to rescue TAFE instead of leaving those campuses in Ararat, Stawell and Maryborough moth-balled.

After training comes job creation: a $200 million regional jobs fund to invest in job creation projects.

Add a $240 million infrastructure fund with the requirement that 10 percent of employees in government funded infrastructure projects be apprentices.

There are more points of difference. Our policies demonstrate that Labor looks to the bigger picture.

I encourage people to jump online and click on the policies link on Daniel Andrew's website and see for themselves: http://www.danielandrews.com.au/policies/

Lower house Democratic Labour Party candidate for Ripon, Mitchell Lee, is a 24 year old welder and boiler maker from Greendale. Mitchell enjoys recreational shooting and fishing.

Mitchell is concerned about workers' rights and conditions. He also is concerned about the effect cheap imports have on local industry and business and the detrimental effect they have on local job opportunities.

Mitchell would press for a dual rail carriageway between Melbourne and Horsham and updating V-Line infrastructure.

With regards to health, he would like to see anti-venom supplies stored in greater volumes around the state's emergency centres.

He believes government funded amateur sports insurance should also be introduced.

DLP education policy would see a small business attached to every school in order to provide students with a grass roots experience in running a business when they leave school.

Valuable skills can be passed on by local entrepreneurs.

As part of Denis Napthine's team, we have a plan to deliver more for Ripon through good economic management which means businesses, including agri-businesses, can expand and employ more people.

Recently, I joined the Deputy Premier to announce government support for the Frewstal abattoir expansion to create 98 local jobs.

We have also announced funding for the Western Highway upgrade between Ballarat and Stawell.

Our Ararat plan includes a $3.7 million investment in community health as well as $2 million for Active Ararat, a $750,000 upgrade for the Ararat outdoor pool and gardens and an extra weekly passenger rail return service.

I have also announced that if elected I will deliver a $500,000 investment to St Patrick's Stawell to upgrade its facilities and $500,000 in research and development funding to help find innovative local solutions to tyre stockpiling in Stawell.

However, there is much more I want to do for Ararat and Stawell as the local member of parliament.

That's why I need your vote so I can work with Denis Napthine to keep the economy strong, so we can create more local jobs and continue to improve our roads, schools and health services.

I am 60 years old. I live in Talbot and have been here for nearly five years.

I have been married to a lovely woman for 40 years and have two grown up children.

My father was a digger in WW2 and fought for his family and country. I am now fighting for my family and country but in a different way.

Some of the things my father has impressed upon me are honesty, integrity, loyalty and standing up for your beliefs.

I have tried to continue upholding these principles throughout my 17 years as a police officer, within my time in the prison's department, as a missionary working with Australian Aboriginals and as a carer for troubled youth.

I would now like to use these values and experience to represent my electorate as a member of the Australian Christians Party.

I would like to represent decent hard working people and their families and bring back the values and morals that have been too long forgotten. My desire is to send a message that values are still important. We are a party that promotes hope for the future and freedom for all and not a party of negativity and oppression.

We value moral law, respect for authority and believe the time to make a stand is now, before we lose the right to decide our future.

Rod is a fourth generation farmer from Blampied where he farms with his extended family.

He is a past Councillor and Mayor of the Hepburn Shire and has also worked in sustainable agriculture, food policy and catchment management.

He joined the greens to tackle climate change and create new economic opportunities and jobs.

My top priorities are supporting sustainable agriculture and renewable energy, especially wind, by removing the two kilometre wind farm exclusion zone and reinstating the Victorian Renewable Energy target.

We will unlock the investment and jobs in wind and solar energy that has been stymied by the coalition government.

There is no excuse for the shambolic state of public transport and if we gain the balance of power, we will act quickly and assuredly to re-instate the Bendigo/Ballarat/Geelong rail line and passenger service and several other regional services to reconnect, and revive central Victoria.

The decision to stand for Ripon has been simple.

Ripon has a chance to change its destiny - to become the Golden Electorate.

Whichever party is in power, as your member I will make sure they deliver their Ripon promises.

Grampians Walking Trail, Lake Lonsdale Recreation, Ararat Town Hall, Stawell's Dark Matter project and improved schools and hospitals.

I am a shearer, turned self-funded farmer who blends crop, meat and wool production with yabbies and conservation.

My farming approach matches my political approach. I work hard, volunteer often, stand up against bureaucrats (red tape), spend time outdoors with family and friends, and leave a better place for my next generation.

A vote for me is a vote for Ripon.

My priority is decentralising jobs, transport (road and rail), training and new technologies into local towns (not stopping at 'regional cities'). Moving city money and our youth back into the country where they belong.

Danielle Fowler (Family First Party)is a property manager who has been working hard to help everyday Victorian families find safe and affordable accommodation for more than five years.

Danielle is determined to do whatever it takes to improve the affordability of housing and alleviate cost of living pressures for all members of the community by reducing government bureaucracy and red tape which do nothing other than push house prices up and out of reach.

Danielle will act as a voice for local families to adequately address the growing health and education needs of the community which the major parties neglect.

She believes that it is vital that any legislation introduced considers the diverse needs of the electorate.

Opposing the ALP's proposal to reintroduce cage fighting is also important. Communities are already struggling with domestic violence and coward punch attacks, so why would anyone glorify a sport that promoted more violence?

Unfortunately, no image of Danielle Fowler was provided.