Council & Politics
13 June, 2026
Another candidate enters the race
A fourth candidate has entered the race for the seat of Ripon. Ararat resident Bernard Quince confirmed this week he’s a “likely starter” ahead of November’s election.
Mr Quince was a colourful candidate at the 2022 election when he launched his campaign with a chicken.
“I have a new chook mascot who is the granddaughter of the previous mascot and the previous one is still alive and kicking.”
Mr Quince said he’s almost 100% certain to nominate as a candidate.
“There is several months between now and then where anything could happen. I could come down with a kidney stone, I don’t want a kidney stone, but it could happen.
“I ran last time because there was no one in the race that represented me,” he said.
Four years on and Mr Quince said he has slightly changed policies compared with 2022.
“It’s slightly more expanded this time around. Every home needs one fruit tree, two chooks, three tomato plants and every marijuana plants they can grow. No restrictions and no policing.
“Self sufficiency, that is my economic policy, that is my environmental policy, it’s pretty much my policy on everything,” Mr Quince said.
In 2022, Mr Quince received 312 votes or 0.7 per cent of the vote.
Mr Quince is the fourth person to announce their candidacy for Ripon including incumbent Martha Haylett, Nationals Jo Armstrong, Greens Tim Drylie.
The Liberal Party and One Nation have also confirmed they will also run candidates.
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