I was interested in chatting because, and not for any particular reason, I don't think Cr Janine Booth and I have ever had much conversation.

Cr Booth offered to head to a cafe but I don't like interviews over coffee.

If you are taking notes then it's always a balancing act between the notebook, pens and coffee, which always goes cold, and if you are recording you end up hearing every 10th word amid the clunk of cups and tinkling of stirring spoons.

So we sat in the back of the post office interrupted only once by Cr Booth's five-year-old granddaughter MacKenzie who delivered a bouquet of flowers from a well-wisher. It's apparently one of many small tokens of congratulations that have arrived. And MacKenzie was quick to point

out the flowers matched the colour of her nan's earrings.

It was an innocent comment that made me think we often forget that councillors are also people that have lives, which involve family and friends and livelihoods, away from local government.

Born and raised in Kingston, Cr Booth is a mother of three and grandmother of one who celebrated her 30th wedding anniversary this year, has been a part of Australia Post for 35 years, and owned and operated the Creswick Post Office for more than a decade - including seeing it through

a fairly tumultuous move from the original post office building.

She was a keen tennis player and still plays a little, hits the gym when she can and is obviously passionate about the Creswick community.

We had a good chat and Cr Booth was open and honest about the shortcomings of being on council, from the lack of resources to do all she would like, the rudeness of some constituents who cover it with ``well, you're the one who put your hand up for local government'', to the grandstanding

now and again of some fellow councillors.

But she also says she has never regretted standing for election and is looking forward to a year of stabilisation and challenge.

Cr Booth says this year has been one of many changes but ``the ship'', as she describes the organisation, is now ready to leave the harbour and sail forth into a world of new opportunities.

Hopefully the voyage doesn't end up like one other much touted vessel. I guess we'll have to wait and see - I think I'll keep the life jacket handy.

Finally, this is the final edition of The Advocate for the year so I would like to take this opportunity to wish its readers a wonderful and safe holiday season - and all the best for 2010.

See you next year.