THIS was the seemingly unwinnable election for a Ballarat boy taking on a giant.
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The story goes that even Steve Bracks' speechwriters had neglected to pen a victory speech should it be needed to address a Labor function on election night. It was another month before Mr Bracks would be declared the 44th Premier of Victoria on October 20, 1999.
Technically, Mr Bracks and Labor did not win the election but nor did fierce rival and seemingly unstoppable Liberal premier Jeff Kennett earn enough seats for a majority government.
The result was in the hands of three independent kingmakers
And a by-election for marginal seat Frankston East after Liberal-turned independent candidate Peter McLellan died of a heart attack on election day.
Speaking to The Courier 20 years on from the remarkable unfoldings, Mr Bracks maintains everything that got him to this point - his values, what he stood for, where he got his first taste of politics - was anchored in Ballarat.
Ballarat meant everything for me...You see every facet of society and industry there laid out for you.
- Steve Bracks
"(Ballarat) meant everything for me. I wouldn't be as successful as I was without a regional base in Balllarat and nearby in places like Bendigo and Geelong," Mr Bracks said.
"You see every facet of society and industry there laid out for you. This was my anchor really, for what I wanted to achieve. My roots go back to the 1890s when my ancestors first came there...(Ballarat) was always a key feature for me when I cut my teeth in politics."
In a bold move, the Labor Party launched their 1999 election campaign in Ballarat's Civic Hall. Venturing into the regions was not the done thing for such an auspicious occasion.
Labor did so on a huge regional push and platform of faster rails for Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong, the La Trobe Valley and the return of trains to Ararat and Maryborough.
This drew a clear line against what many were crying was a citycentric Premier in Mr Kennett.
Strong blue seats in Ballarat (two), Ripon, Gisborne and an upper house seat swung red in what The Courier at the time dubbed the Battle for Ballarat. Geelong turned red in a tight count.
On election night, Mr Bracks was quoted to say regional Victorians felt abandoned by the Kennett Government and its major projects for the city: "(The result) sends a clear message - you can't divide and rule".
"Since then no government or opposition takes regional seats for granted...they're now contested," Mr Bracks told The Courier.
"I had a view not about hand-outs to regional Victoria but providing proper infrastructure and support for the regions: new rolling stock, redevelopment of Ballarat Base Hospital, refurbishing schools and making sure regions have the best possible opportunity to be competitive in attracting skilled labour and people."
Mr Bracks, who turns 65 next week, said proclaiming the Otways a national park (blocking logging), and regional rail were his proudest achievements as premier.
Regional rail continues to be a key driver in state politics in what Mr Bracks said was vital for great, vibrant regional cities, growing in population and investment.
Mr Brack said the Kennett era was particularly tough on regional people
This was a time of closing rail, disinvestment, privatisation and country schools shutdown and sold with big impacts on small communities.
"Ballarat is a great place to live now and has fantastic opportunities for people in regional Victoria," Mr Bracks said.
A St Patrick's College alumnus, Mr Bracks studied teaching at what is now Federation University and taught at Sacred Heart College (now Damascus).
Education shaped his policy making and has remained a strong passion for Mr Bracks, who earlier this year was appointed to become Victoria University's chancellor in January 2021. He also serves as chairman for industry superannuation CBUS and legal firm Maurice Blackburn.
Such positions, Mr Brack said, were the legacy of the skills and learnings he acquired in three terms as premier from 1999 to 2007.
"We thought he'd achieve a lot," Marion Bracks said of her son on election night. "...But I think it's a shock that he's done it so quickly."
Ballarat leaders say Bracks win was a chance to feel heard
RIPPLES from a Steve Bracks-led Labor campaign sparked a major shake-up for Ballarat governance in what those who prevailed said was the region finally being heard.
"This is your new member for Ballarat East speaking" were the words Labor candidate Geoff Howard spoke when he claimed turned out to be the first win in what The Courier termed "a bloody Battle for Ballarat".
Ripon was next, then Karen Overington claiming the swing from Liberal candidate Judy Verlin who had stepped down as Ballarat mayor in the weeks before election day.
Labor victory in Gisborne ended the 23-year political career of Health Minister Rob Knowles in his failed bid to move from the upper to lower house. Mr Knowles had been touted as Victorian Premier Jeff Kennett's likely successor.
Ballarat's then-mayor John Barnes said election night results created a lot of surprise but this quickly turned to new-found confidence as it became evident Ballarat boy Steve Bracks would be Victorian premier.
It meant we felt we had an opportunity to engage with government there hadn't been previously.
- John Barnes, City of Ballarat then-mayor
"It meant we felt we had an opportunity to engage with government there hadn't been previously," Mr Barnes said. "(The election) really established Steve Bracks' credentials as someone who understood regional Victoria as well as John Brumby (from Bendigo). They had a good understanding what was happening."
For Geoff Howard, who retired last year, it was a "remarkable", exciting month. Mr Howard was confident he could win the 14-vote swing needed to claim Ballarat East with Labor's strong regional focus but was unsure what would happen next.
People thought of Steve Bracks like their next door neighbour because he was approachable, likeable and a sound leader.
- Geoff Howard, former Buninyong (Ballarat East) MP
"Steve was an exceptional leader. People thought of Steve Bracks like their next door neighbour because he was approachable, likeable and a sound leader who would deliver on his promises," Mr Howard said. "He has left so many significant legacies."
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