But now, after being nominated by the Bellingen branch of the Nationals, Melinda Pavey has set herself a new challenge - to be the Member for Oxley.

Coffs Harbour based, Melinda’s decision came after she was placed fifth on her party’s Upper House ticket for the next election, giving her next to no chance of being returned.

That, coming together with Oxley incumbent Andrew Stoner’s decision to not contest the March State Election, convinced Melinda to chance her arm for the Lower House.

The first step in that path will be to win Nationals preselection, with the party faithful to determine that by vote on December 13.

Melinda told the Courier-Sun though her time may be winding up as a Member of the Legislative Council, she doesn’t think her time in government is done.

“There is nothing guaranteed in politics and I’ve experienced this first hand, but I think this is an amazing opportunity … I want to use the experience and knowledge I have as a parliamentarian to get great outcomes for Oxley,” she said.

Melinda grew up on the Mid North Coast after her “hard-working” dairy farming family moved from Victoria in 1981. She claims many current links to the Bellingen Shire, and if successful at preselection, would move to the shire.

“I’m a daughter of a dairy farmer,” she said

“I hated them at the time but like many people in this region we moved here because it was so beautiful. I have a brother in Dorrigo and cousins throughout the shire and if successful I will obviously move into the area (Bellingen Shire) – it’s an article of faith. It’s exciting. My husband and I sold our house nine months ago, so we are ready for a new pathway.”

Melinda said she hoped to follow in the footsteps of Mr Stoner.

“I want to use my experience and knowledge about how government operates, with the contacts I have, to continue bringing about the great outcomes for Oxley that Andrew Stoner has brought,” Melinda said.

“Under the Nationals we have seen health services improved for Bellingen and the dual carriageway continue at a massive pace. These are the type of infrastructure projects I want to see finished and continue.”

However, Melinda said her years spent in the Upper House would prove advantageous.

“I’m a capable and professional representative that can deliver straight away – that isn’t on training wheels. I have the ability to connect with the senior ministers in the NSW Government to ensure the voice of Oxley, the local shire, the grassroots community members and voices, are heard and acted upon.

“I want to continue to grow jobs, within our industries … dairy, timber, avocado, macadamia, fishing or tourism.”

Locally, Melinda flagged the ongoing Dorrigo Mountain road as an issue that demanded closer inspection.

“I think the Waterfall Way is an area that needs continued action,” she said

“It is one of the most beautiful drives in NSW – one of the top five drives in Australia, but the road is also important in terms of the local economy. We need to keep increasing its capacity.”

 Melinda has a 15-year-old son, Jack, a 12-year-old daughter, Emily, and her husband Warren is well-known within local life saving after being named 2013 North Coast Lifesaver of the Year for the volunteer work he does in the region.

Melinda, a former radio journalist, went to work in Parliament in 1988, as a staff member of the then National Party Administrative Services Minister, Matt Singleton.

Over the next decade, she worked with the former Planning Minister, Robert Webster, National Party leader and Public Works Minister, Wal Murray, the former Consumer Affairs Minister Wendy Machin, and former deputy premier, Ian Armstrong, as media adviser.

While her career has been dominated by government service, Melinda’s encounter with politics began as a babe when she was bestowed a pollie-style peck on her cheek at a polling booth in regional Victoria by Black Jack McEwen, the federal Country Party stalwart, who was caretaker PM for a brief time after Harold Holt disappeared.

“He was apparently the first politician I ever met. My dad says he kissed me when I was a baby but I don't think he was the type to kiss babies. I guess I’m a real National Party girl,” she said.