By Anne Kruger, Rye

As the Flinders election draws near, there’s a kind of quiet electricity in the air — a hum that speaks of decisions being made not in faraway capitals, but just down the road. These are the elections that shape our streets, our parks, our libraries and halls. They don’t always grab the headlines, but they carry the weight of everyday life.

This year, the campaign has had a certain edge. Passion is high, and rightly so. People care about what happens here. But while the tone has become more biting, it hasn’t tipped into bitterness — which is something to be proud of.

We remain a community that can speak our minds and still shake hands at the market, nod across the dog park, and chat over the counter at the bakery.

What makes this moment worth celebrating isn’t just the politics — it’s the people. Candidates put themselves forward out of genuine care. Volunteers walk miles, rain or shine, to deliver leaflets. Residents weigh up choices with thoughtfulness and heart.

It’s a reminder that democracy, when done right, isn’t just about ticking a box — it’s about being part of something.

No matter the result, our community will wake up the day after the vote, still here for each other. The bins will be collected. The footy club will still run sausage sizzles. The neighbours will still wave hello.

Elections bring change — sometimes small, sometimes sweeping. But what stays the same is us: this place’s voices, faces, and stories.

That’s something worth holding onto.

So let’s vote with hope. Let’s speak with respect. And remember that even in the most spirited of debates, we’re all walking the same footpaths to home.