More than 1000 requests for assistance and 70 rescues have kept SES volunteers busy in Victorian communities including Birregurra, Maryborough, Skipton, Coleraine, Casterton and Carisbrook.

In each town hit hard with flooding, it is the efforts of volunteers that have reduced the impact and, in many cases, avoided disaster. I have spoken at great length this year about the importance of Victoria’s volunteers and the inspirational sacrifices they make every day, embodied by groups such as the CFA and SES.

This month we have seen that work ethic and generosity set a shining example to communities in crisis everywhere. Everyday residents, police, schools and businesses should also be commended for pulling together to help their neighbours and tackle the environmental challenges they face as a community.

The federal government has joined the Victorian government to offer assistance to the councils recovering from flooding. If you have been personally affected, please call the Victorian Emergency Recovery information line on 1300 799 232.

- Simon Ramsay, Western Victoria MP

WANNON MP Dan Tehan is in hiding as his Sydney-centric bosses Malcolm Turnbull and Scott Morrison blatantly rip off Victoria and spend our taxpayer dollars in New South Wales.

The Andrews Labor Government has delivered on its election commitment to lease the port and use the funding to remove 50 of our most dangerous and congested level crossings, creating thousands of jobs.

Mr Turnbull had agreed to top up this funding by 15 per cent – or about $1.4 billion – just like he did in Sydney. But now he’s reneged on his commitment, ripping off Victorians by $650 million. As a result, Western Victoria is missing out on its share of hundreds of millions of dollars that Mr Turnbull promised under that deal.

This is short-changing Western Victorians out of vital funding that could go to removing more level crossings, better rail infrastructure or improving roads.

Mr Turnbull was already ripping Victorians off by sending Victorian taxpayer money to fund projects in his hometown of Sydney. While it’s clear Mr Turnbull doesn’t care about Victorians, Mr Tehan needs to come out of hiding and say whether he thinks it’s acceptable that our state is dudded again.

Once again Sydney-centric Malcolm Turnbull is ripping off our state and not giving Victorians what they were promised. It’s time Dan Tehan stood up to Malcolm Turnbull and his Sydney mates and demanded Victoria gets its fair share.

- Ports Minister Luke Donnellan

PASSIONATE citizens are ready to represent their communities, with 2135 candidates running in the 22 October council elections, an increase of 6.5 per cent since the last elections in 2012.

Candidates are vying for one of 637 vacancies across 78 councils in Victoria.

It is pleasing to see an increase in community-minded candidates ready to join the election race.

Putting your hand up to become an influential voice of a community can be a daunting first step in the council election process yet it’s clear that many are ready to embrace the challenges and rewards of being a councillor.

We would encourage voters to get to know those who are standing when candidate statements and questionnaires become available on the Victorian Electoral Commission website.

- Rob Spence, Municipal Association of Victoria CEO