"Running for local office has been a long-held ambition for me," Ms Downing said.

Her grandfather was a Cowra councillor and deputy mayor many years ago.

"I never met Pop Lynch, but my family and friends know that his achievements have always been something I wanted to emulate one day," Ms Downing said.

Married to Tom, who ran his own painting business for many years, Ms Downing is a lifelong resident of Cowra.

Both have been heavily involved in the community volunteering for school, community and sporting bodies as they raised their four sons, all of whom remain residents of the town.

"My family has been so incredibly lucky and supported in the town and I would love nothing more than to give something back to the community by taking on a roll at local Council level," Ms Downing said.

While looking for opportunities to promote and grow the Cowra Shire Ms Downing says one of her priorities will be to learn as much as possible about local government while meeting any shire resident's she doesn't already have a connection with.

"I have a passion and a deep seated connection to our town and to the people who live here," she said.

"Having four sons who were educated in Cowra, played sport in Cowra and now live, work, have families and a business in Cowra, I truly believe that there are opportunities for our youth to grow and stay in our town.

"Creating jobs through our tourism sector and promoting industry will always bring money to the town to help support existing businesses and provide work opportunities for locals, but I am also interested in making our town better for the residents who already live and work here.

"Rates, water and roads are local issues that need attention too but we also really need a shop to buy socks, undies and sheets at locally," she said.

Ms Downing has been actively involved in the Parents Associations at St Raphael's School and Cowra High School; assisted in training debutantes for the Catholic Ball for a number of years and "as a family we have done our time at the footy fields, canteens and cricket pitches over the years".

Earlier this year Ms Downing joined Cowra Rotary describing its members as "inspiring" with a proven track record of service.

"I am loving it, so if you see me selling tickets at Woolies, come and say hello, and buy a ticket of course," she said.

ALSO MAKING NEWS:

"If elected I will be committed to do all I can to not just keep our services and facilities, but to enhance them.

"The new plans for the hospital, where we have amazing staff providing exceptional care, will be a primary focus for me.

"The hospital upgrade is a vitally important project for our community as well as the surrounding areas.

"A major step forward for our hospital has been adding valuable services such as renal dialysis, chemotherapy and developing the existing operating theatres and the maternity departments.

"It is imperative to sustain and expand our services and resist the push to centralise health care to the larger centres around us."

Ms Downing is also an advocate for the Cowra Aquatic Centre.

"I use the local pool on a regular basis and have been pleased to see so many young families spending time there, especially last summer.

"Additions and improvements planned are very exciting, so maintaining the standard of this vital service should also be of importance.

"The ultimate goal would be a pool that can be used all year round, which may not be affordable for our town at this time, so why not make this area as family and visitor friendly as possible, while we work on the rest."

Getting the best results for the town, she says, can be achieved by surrounding yourself with great people and through community engagement.

"To get the best results you need to put great people around you and be able to listen, while always staying true to yourself.

"Engagement of the community is a tough one, If elected the buck will stop with me.

"There are so many incredible organisations working for the people of Cowra, so making community connections and working with stakeholders to get the best outcomes will be high on my agenda.

"I realise you are not going to have everyone agree with a decision, but it is imperative that as an elected representative you are accountable and transparent.

"Communication is the key," Ms Downing said.

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