"I’ve seen how well Ken is respected in the electorate; not all people have voted for him, but they do respect him, and it’s my aspiration to be held in that same regard."

Mr McCurdy said he was not daunted by the thought of potentially filling Mr Jasper’s shoes.

"I see it as a wonderful challenge, especially when my children are at the age when I can afford that time," he said.

With four children, aged 20, 18, 16 and 14, Mr McCurdy said he has first-hand knowledge of many of the issues confronting rural and regional families.

"I know what it’s like to have kids travelling to Melbourne for study, being aware of problems like bullying, and I know how important it is that junior football clubs have enough volunteers," he said.

"I am across all these issues because I am experiencing the same things as everybody else."

Mr Jasper said the new candidate, chosen during last November’s pre-selection in Wangaratta, offered "grassroots representation".

"The background Tim has had, as a dairy farmer, in business (Mr McCurdy now works in real estate), in the community, knowing the issues faced by families and people in the country, people respond to that," he said.

"And he is keen to learn as much as he can."

Among the pearls of wisdom Mr Jasper has passed on to Mr McCurdy is the motto he has worked by for 34 years - "work like hell, get results, and tell people what I’m doing".

A Moira Shire councillor, Mr McCurdy has lived in Cobram for 25 years, but will retain the office in Wangaratta if elected.

"Living where I live, I drive through most of the electorate to get to the office, so if there is an issue in a particular area, I can go there on the way to Wangaratta or on the way home," he said.

In the lead-up to the state election, Mr McCurdy has been attending a range of events in his bid to "leave no stone unturned to ensure people know who I am".

"Ken is still the member; I’m the aspiring member," he said.

"My job is to let people get to know me and understand me."