Early voting results in quieter than expected election day

It meant that quiet was the best way to describe the proceedings across town at polling booths on Saturday morning.

Echuca 208 Primary School, Echuca Twin Rivers Primary School and Echuca East Primary School were the three locations where voters could cast their ballots in the 2022 Victorian State Election.

The traditional democracy sausage was nowhere to be seen at any of the three schools, although there was some relief for those a little hungry.

Echuca East was the scene for a cake stall and coffee stand which did a roaring trade.

“The kids are running the cake stall and coffee stand, which is a fundraiser for flood-affected residents of Echuca and Rochester,” school representative Ben Hawthorn said.

The spread on offer for those waiting to vote included chocolate crackers, red velvet cupcakes, honey joys, coconut slice, Mars bar slice and chocolate chip biscuits.

One of the youngsters manning the stall was Ava Campbell, 9.

“Business has been good,” Ava said.

Expectations were for the stall and the casual dress day held on election eve to raise about $1000, a fine effort from all involved at the school of 280 students.

Across town at 208 Primary School, volunteer Debbie Latter was handing out how to vote cards for the Freedom Party of Victoria.

“It’s been very positive this morning,” Ms Latter said.

“People have been interested in the Freedom Party’s policies, particularly in the area of small business support and free public transport.”

Ms Latter was joined by her pet dog Mr Beau Beau who she described as the “voice of freedom”.

Mr Beau Beau’s party trick was to bark on Ms Latter’s command and he gained a number of pats throughout the day.

Just metres away Nationals Leader Peter Walsh was on deck early offering how to vote cards.

“I usually get up at 5am, so it’s a normal day for me,” he said.

Mr Walsh was among the 979 people to cast his vote at 208 and spent the morning in Echuca before hitting the road bound for Melbourne.

“I’m heading to Bulleen for Matthew’s (Guy) election function,” Mr Walsh said.

“I’m pretty positive about how the campaign has gone, but whether that is enough to change the government remains to be seen.”

In the end it wouldn’t, as Labor romped to a comfortable victory, but it was also a positive night for Mr Walsh and The Nationals.

Not only did he comfortably retain Murray Plains with an increased primary vote, but the Nationals won the seats of Shepparton, Morwell and Mildura.

Before the result arrived, Mr Walsh was quietly confident of collecting the trifecta.

“We will win Shepparton,” he said.

“Kim O’Keeffe is a fine candidate.”

Those words rang true as Shepparton voted in Ms O’Keeffe at the expense of independent incumbent Suzanna Sheed.

“In Morwell we’ve got a top candidate in Martin Cameron and Jade Benham is a very good candidate in Mildura.”

Mr Walsh’s major rival for Murray Plains was on the campaign hustings at Echuca Twin Rivers.

A tall man with a broad akubra and genial manner, Labor contender Damien Hurrell spent his day in Echuca in a bid to collect votes.

Mr Hurrell said his presence had been warmly received by people casting their ballots.

“I’ve been heartened by the support I’ve received,” Mr Hurrell said.

“At the end of the day, the voters make the decision.

“It is about giving them a choice, you’ve got to be in it to win it.”

With nearly 78 per cent of the vote counted by noon on Sunday, Mr Hurrell failed to make any major inroads into Mr Walsh’s margin.

Despite some solid numbers at the Echuca booths, his overall primary vote was tracking at 18.46 per cent, below the 19.39 per cent figure attracted by the Labor candidate at the 2018 election.

Family First Victoria’s Cameron Macpherson attracted the third highest primary vote with 2187 votes (6.15 per cent).

Katia Bish (Freedom Party of Victoria) attracted 4.41 per cent, John Brownstein (Australian Greens) 3.37 per cent, independent Andrea Otto 2.48 per cent and Glenys Leung (Animal Justice Party) 2.15 per cent.