CBD business owner Tracey Togni is one of two candidates that are the first to throw their hats into the ring for the upcoming Warrnambool City Council elections.
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Ms Togni said she was very proud of Warrnambool and keen to see change.
"I've got ideas. I'm a creative person. I want to see things happening in a positive way," she said.
Ms Togni said there was a lot of negativity around the council and she felt like the positive connection between the community and the council had been lost.
She said good communication and engagement was central to being an effective councillor, and she would be focused on communicating council decisions that effected the community while building better and stronger relationships with ratepayers.
"I want to see more transparency and I want it to be a more united council," Ms Togni said.
"I'm passionate about Warrnambool and keen to see changes.
"Being more progressive is a better thing for Warrnambool."
Ms Togni said she was motivated and enthusiastic about businesses.
"I like helping people and putting smiles on faces," she said.
"I'm passionate about growth and moving forward. I like to be involved rather than sitting back.
"I'm very proud of Warrnambool. I'm a glass half-full not half-empty girl and I always believe you have a choice in life."
Ms Togni has lived in Warrnambool since she was 19 when she started working at Fletcher Jones.
After studying photography and graphic design at Deakin University she opened her first business - Cactus House - at the age of 24 where she was part-owner for more than nine years before spending some time travelling around Australia with her son who was just three at the time.
Her and her husband, Shaun Noonan, have three children between them.
Ms Togni then started her own photography business from home and worked there for several years before opening up her store Phinc in 2011. In 10 years the business has had three locations - one in Fairy Street and two in Liebig Street.
She has also served on the committee of management for Warrnambool Hospice, run the Warrnambool Bridal Party network for 13 years and is in the new Your Warrnambool business and tourism group which started this year.
Ms Togni said she found she loved talking to people and with a bit of extra time from cutting back some of her work commitments she wanted to now give back by running for council.
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