Ms Eastwood said she was inspired to stand by her students. 

“They talk to me about what’s happening in the future and one of their great concerns is not having a job when they leave school,” she said.

Ms Eastwood praised the Ballarat West Employment Zone but said more needed to be done. 

If elected, her key focus would be on lobbying state and federal government for more programs for youth which created pathways to employment. Other priorities included genuine consultation with the community, protecting Ballarat’s environment and heritage and improving toursim. 

Ms Eastwood vowed to lead the city with integrity, honesty and an unwavering commitment to improving Ballarat. 

The north ward candidate is running as an independent and has no political afflictions.