Former Hepburn Shire mayor Rod May is fighting for his life in hospital after a serious motorcycle accident in Gong Gong on Monday night.
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Mr May, who ran as a Greens candidate for Ripon in the 2014 Victorian election, was driving his red Ducati motorcycle on Ballarat-Daylesford before he collided with a car.
The ambulance air wing rushed to the scene and flew Mr May to Melbourne's Alfred Hospital, where he has remained in a critical condition after sustaining severe injuries.
Mr May’s wife was Mount Clear College teacher Vivien Hodgins, who tragically died in a tsunami that hit Samoa in 2009.
One of their daughters is federal Greens candidate Steph Hodgins-May, who almost defeated Labor frontbencher Michael Danby in the seat of Melbourne Ports last year.
An emotional Ms Hodgins-May thanked the community for their outpouring of support for her dad.
“He is one of a kind,” she said.
"I just think he belongs to such a nice community, with their ideas and positive energy.
"I want to thank everyone for urging him to recovery.”
Mr May’s colleagues at Hepburn Shire have rallied to the support of their former mayor, releasing a statement expressing their deep shock over the accident.
Mayor Sebastian Klein said Mr May had been an important part of municipal life from the days of the Creswick Shire until now.
"Our thoughts and prayers go out to Rod, his daughters Steph and Carla, his brothers Doug and councillor Greg May,” he said.
“We can only hope for the best outcome as everyone goes through this difficult time.
"Community members like Rod form special threads through our lives and through our towns and communities.
“We can only hope that he pulls through and recovers to make the contribution we all need him to make in areas like agriculture, sustainability and community."
Mr May, who lives in Blampied, was surrounded by family at the Alfred Hospital in Melbourne.
Mr May said climate change was the biggest issue faced by government in 2014.
"I have never had a burning desire to be a career politician but I have seen there are issues that need to be addressed," he said.
"If I don't do it now, when will I do it?"
Many residents took to Facebook to voice their support for Mr May and his family.
One woman wrote: “Oh no, he is a lovely man. Sending all my best wishes for a speedy recovery”.