[I have add a quick note here, as I was writing this, Shooters, Fishers, Farmers candidate, Sam Ramano paid a visit to the Mudgee Guardian office for a chat.]

It wasn't that long ago that it seemed like we couldn't read the news or watch tv without seeing an advert for, or a funding announcement from, some of the candidates vying for our vote.

Of course this opinion piece will be Mudgee region-focused. We are the Mudgee Guardian after all.

Making news online:

I find it quite disappointing that to this point, the candidates have not been out there telling us what they're going to do for us, the people of the Mudgee region. So why should we vote for you exactly? And you know what? If they have been here, they've done a poor job of letting the voters know.

Some of the candidates have details so poorly listed that it's almost impossible to find them easily.

I think part of the blame is on us. We must tell the politicians asking for our vote what we want, and if they can't or won't do it, then you simply vote for someone else. I think an MRI machine at Mudgee Hospital would be an amazing thing and would honestly change the lives of people in the region.

Maybe the money spent building a bridge to save 40 minutes on a trip to Orange could be better spent on an MRI machine, or hiring more mental health professionals for the region, no?

Sure, you can look online and see the policies, or lack thereof, for each party in the election, but what happened to good old footwork? Getting out there and really asking the people what they want?

The Nationals have held Calare since 2007 and it's considered a very safe seat, but even so, you'd like to see incumbent, Gee out there fighting for it.

I know he's been out in the region, but uncharacteristically, we've not had any heads up from his office.

I worry, since we share our electorate with larger centres, that the Mudgee region will be ignored, when in fact it is - in my opinion - the most vibrant and valuable part of the electorate now and into the future.