McCurdy returns as member

By 7pm on election night, Mr McCurdy had retained his seat, securing well over a third of first preference votes, comfortably ahead of Australian Labor Party candidate Zuvele Leschen.

Ms Leschen had just over 20 per cent of the votes, with Australian Greens candidate Zoe Kromar recording over eight per cent of the votes and Liberal Democrats candidate Julian Fidge recording over six per cent.

Mr McCurdy also stretched his two-candidate preferred margin out to 19.2 percent over Labor's Zuvele Leschen.

Mr McCurdy told the Yarrawonga Chronicle that the result in Ovens Valley shows that locals back him to represent them and be their voice in Parliament.

“I also like to think that it shows people recognise the hard work I have put in over the years as their local member,” Mr McCurdy said.

“Whilst it hasn’t been the result we were looking for state-wide, I will still give 110% every single day to ensure that the needs of Yarrawonga, and the wider Ovens Valley community, are heard by the government.

“Yarrawonga needs to get a fair share of funding, which is why I will be lobbying the government for proper roads funding, as well as funding for health, and education.

“Yarrawonga is the fastest growing town in regional Victoria, so I will continue to champion the needs of the growing populace to deliver the facilities and resources we need for the future.”

A majority of the booths in the Ovens Valley all voted heavily in Mr McCurdy's favour on the

two-candidate-preferred scale, with Yarrawonga (671 to 302), Bundalong (65 to 13), Tungamah (154 to 43), St James (108 to 20), Katamatite (262 to 69) and Cobram (1120 to 420 votes) among them.

In neighbouring Benambra, Liberal incumbent Bill Tilley retained his seat after the result was too close to call and Independent Jacqui Hawkins conceded defeat on Sunday morning after leading part way through the count on Saturday night.

Of primary first preference, Mr Tilley had 43.56 per cent of the vote while Ms Hawkins wasn’t far behind on 32.15 per cent.

On a two candidate preferred vote, Mr Tilley held the smallest of margins with 51.11 per cent of the vote while Ms Hawkins had 48.89 per cent.

Leading the state, incumbent Premier and Labor leader Daniel Andrews vowed to govern for all Victorians as his opponent Matthew Guy prepared to stand down as Liberal leader.

Mr Andrews’ win enters him into the history books as he begins his third term as Victorian Premier as Labor won 52 of a required 45 seats needed for a majority government while the Liberal Party won 25 and the Greens four with seven still to be counted.