What’s it like being a volunteer in a political campaign?

I reached out to the teams behind the four main candidates in Kew to find out more.

So far, I’ve only heard back from one team – the one backing independent candidate Sophie Torney.

What happened: Torney and her team of more than 200 volunteers have been out and about for months, including knocking more than 17,000 local doors, rolling out 350 signs and more than 2,000 hours of work, which is made possible thanks to more than $300,000 in donations from more than 1,500 individuals.

What they said: “Our volunteers are extraordinary,” she told the Eastern Melburnian. “They come from all walks of life, they're every generation. This is grassroots community at its best.”

If you’re reading this and happen to be from Kew’s Labor, Liberal, One Nation or Greens teams, please get in touch!

Watch the video here:

This 3D-printed model of a space shuttle took five years and about $30,000 of materials to bring it to life in a Heathmont front yard.

How it happened: Friends Adam Wieja and Peter Sawyer have been creating models since 2011, but have been spending about 10 hours most days on the rocket, as well as the 3D printer working overnight.

The display includes plenty of moving parts, three fog machines and about 40 miniature astronauts and crew members to simulate liftoff.

What they said: At 76 years of age, Wieja said what began as a hobby had become a passion.

“Astronomy fascinates me a lot,” he told the Eastern Melburnian. “I don't want to waste my time in front of a TV – to be like a couch potato. I will continue as long as I can.”

The back story: Wieja was born in Poland and ran away from home as a child, travelling through Austria, Germany, Belgium, France and eventually Australia.

Working in many jobs over the years, including in car manufacturing and as a stockman, he settled down and retired in Heathmont about 14 years ago.

Watch the video below:

Here’s some local events that you should save in your calendar.

Polling suggests Opposition Leader Jess Wilson won't need One Nation's support to form government after the Victorian election. But actually getting laws passed could be a challenge.

Explain that: Former ABC election analyst Antony Green told the National Account One Nation could win eight to 10 upper house seats, the Greens six to eight, the Liberals around 14 and Labor around eight, which he described as a "very divided upper house".

He expects a Coalition government would have to rely on One Nation, Labor or the Greens to pass legislation.

The National Account’s Archie Milligan has the rundown below: