Ryan Burns knew everyone in the City of Mandurah, or at least, that's how it felt as he greeted every customer by name as they came through the doors of Coffee Cove.
"I know Mandurah well," he went on to say.
Moving from the small regional town of Boyup Brook at the age of 10, Mr Burns has now been living in Mandurah for close to 38 years.
But the community spirit he first saw in Boyup Brook and went on to see in Mandurah is one of the main reasons he wanted to stand as WA's Liberal candidate for the seat of Mandurah.
"Those small regional towns there is no better example of as much as you put in you get out, communities like that don't function without volunteers and passion and commitment," he said.
"These organisations are the networks that keep us together.
"There is so much good work being done that brings people from all different backgrounds and that makes Mandurah the place it is and that's why I want to be that person to fight for what makes us a great place to live."
Working as an underground miner, supervisor, engineering and mine manager, and now for an earthmoving contractor in Waroona, Mr Burns has experienced working in "some of the most challenging conditions".
Now having his eyes set on the seat of Mandurah, Mr Burns said he was ready for this new challenge, to win the election.
"Admittedly it's a tough challenge but I'm up for the challenge," he said.
"It's as simple as I love Mandurah and I want the best for Mandurah, ultimately what drives me is to fight for Mandurah and be that strong representative for families, and for small businesses.
"I'm getting out and meeting people, listening to families, small businesses, community groups and hearing what they have to say because the role I'm going to take on is advocating for them."
Mr Burns also said he was passionate about finding more avenues for young people to find employment locally, investing more in the Peel Health Campus and other supporting health services, protecting Mandurah's waterways, bolstering police numbers, and backing local jobs and businesses.
Sitting Labor MP David Templeman, who has held onto the Mandurah seat for 19 years, has been focusing on turning around the Peel region's unemployment levels, addressing health concerns, and minimising crime since his last election win.
The Mandurah Mail spoke to Mr Templeman in June when the Peel Health Campus emergency upgrades recommenced.
"I have been working hard to see the Peel Health Campus upgraded and with work on the emergency department upgrades starting soon, services will be greatly improved for people in Mandurah," he said.
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Also talking recently about minimising crime in Mandurah, Mr Templeman said the Labor government were ensuring extra policing was available as well as working on finalising a proposal to support the City of Mandurah's outreach services.
"We have reinstated Mandurah's status as a district in its own right, ensuring extra police resources are available to respond in a vastly smaller district centred around Mandurah," he said.
"Commissioner Dawson also increased the number of Regional Operations Groups from two to three, boosting the additional police resources available to districts.
"However, as a long term resident of Mandurah and as local member, I will keep fighting to ensure that we have police resources available to respond effectively where necessary."
Mr Templeman will face Mr Burns when WA goes to the polls on March 13.