One woman's passion for her community of Tarcutta has prompted her to run in the upcoming Wagga City Council election.
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Born-and-raised in Wagga, Alexandra 'Lexi' Cesnik is running second on Group H's ticket, led by current councillor Tim Koschel, in next month's election.
She has been secretary of the Tarcutta Progress Association for about three years and said she is constantly inspired by the "proactive" group of men and women who make up the group.
"Our small community alone has really banded together and got some amazing projects off the ground," Ms Cesnik said.
It was at one of the progress association meetings where she met Cr Koschel, who approached her about joining his ticket this year.
"He rang and said 'I'm running, I need a ticket, I really think you've got something going for you'," Ms Cesnik, who said yes straight away, explained.
"It just seems like a really great opportunity. I'm just so passionate about opportunities for the community and I want to have a red hot go and see what I can help council achieve."
The 29-year-old senior livestock consultant was raised on a family farm purchased by her grandfather in the 1980s, attending primary school in Tarcutta and high school in Wagga.
She studied agriculture at Charles Sturt University and has worked right across the Riverina, moving back to Tarcutta about four years ago.
"I'm just so passionate about opportunities for the community and I want to have a red hot go and see what I can help council achieve."
- Alexandra 'Lexi' Cesnik
"My partner and I are hoping to set up base here full time," Ms Cesnik said.
"We have something very unique at Wagga City that we have ... such amazing amenities in our city that are not available to other regional centres, yet you can drive half an hour and be completely remote, and that is the beauty of our villages."
If elected to council, Ms Cesnik said she hopes to provide a voice to the diverse communities living outside the city.
She said there are endless opportunities for these towns, especially in regards to regional tourism.
"We have so many wonderful events that happen in the city and some of these smaller events could be stretched out or duplicated [in the villages] to provide opportunities," she said.
Ms Cesnik said it is important to make sure each village has a level of amenities to help them grow and thrive, attracting families to fill the schools and boost local economies.
As a primary producer, she is also passionate about making sure rural ratepayers have a voice to council and that their needs are met.
She hopes to bring a younger perspective to council, looking with new eyes at what has and hasn't worked in the past.
"I think [I can] bring excitement, vibrancy and some new fresh ideas and hopefully team that really well with wisdom and knowledge that is already there."
In the lead up to this year's election, The Daily Advertiser has profiled the candidates looking to secure a spot on Wagga City Council.
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