Ms Hadden, who spent seven years as the Upper House Member for Ballarat Province, failed to win the seat of Ballarat East at the state elections on November 25.

The former lawyer was the first and last women to be elected to represent Ballarat Province.

"It was a great pride and honour to serve the people of my electorate for seven years and two months," she said. "I thoroughly enjoyed it and found it challenging and rewarding."

Ms Hadden said she had no choice but to quit politics.

"I never say never. I might look at top politics in the future," she said.

"I will start living a normal life."

Ms Hadden's major projects included bringing natural gas to Creswick, trying to save water being pumped into Ballarat from Cosgrave Reservoir, saving Mt Franklin from having a Telstra tower put on it,reducing speed restrictions

around schools and working to stop the Clarkes Hill/Dean wind farm.

"I am a very philosophical person and I believe I have served my time in public life. I think it is now time for me to look at other possibilities," she said.

"I will miss it but I am philosophical other doors will open."