Victoria's longest-serving female politician Gwenda Allgood will be running again for council next term.
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Cr Allgood was elected to the City of Ararat in 1982 and has been 'hooked' ever since.
"I have that addiction now, there is always something you never quite finish," she said.
"We still have a lot of rural communities that need halls and improvements ... we can't forget them.
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"If you look at some of our infrastructures, a lot of our bridges are narrow and you can't get machinery across ... we still have a lot of work in that space."
Cr Allgood said she wants to help the young community in Ararat and accommodate more people into the area.
"It all begins locally and people need to start listening to each other. I think with what is happening at the moment it is starting to come back," she said.
"Ararat is going to be in such a great position going into the future. People are going to want to come here and retire and make something of Ararat.
"A lot of people I went school with are coming back and I think their children will come back and see what a great spot it is.
"At the moment we are working so well together as a council ... we just seem to be keen on moving forward and that has been more evident every week."
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Cr Allgood said she has kept busy during the lockdown by cooking and decluttering.
"My husband was teasing me about having so many records of my kids old reports and assignments," she said.
"I have also cleaned out the office and have been cooking for the family ... no one objects to that."
Cr Allgood became involved in politics when she noticed the lack of local sporting facilities for children.
At the moment we are working so well together as a council ... we just seem to be keen on moving forward and that has been more evident every week.
- Cr Gwenda Allgood
"I had a daughter who wanted to play netball and the councillors kept saying to me they would come and have a look at the facilities, but they never came," she said.
"I said If you don't start coming to look at the community's problems I am going to come along and be one of the councillors.
"I must admit ... I thought maybe when my children left school I would give it away.
"I never thought I would see my grandchildren leave school and still be in the job. I have been very lucky."
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