Helen Haines is more than just a local politician to Indi resident Frankie Carroll.
In the wake of the tragic attack on their local MP, Carroll put pen to paper.
In a series of comics that are gaining traction on social media, the young queer artist shares a powerful, personal account of their experience with Ms Haines.
"Helen Haines has not only made me feel heard, valued and safe, but hopeful in a political climate of fearmongering and useless culture wars," they write.
Lifelong connection
The electorate of Indi has had an independent representative for much of Carroll's life.
Cathy McGowan won the safe Liberal seat while they were still in primary school.
When Carroll was 13, Ms Haines made history as the first independent to succeed another independent MP in federal parliament.
At 16, Carroll joined Ms Haines' youth advisory group and helped shape a speech about climate change that was delivered in parliament.
At 17, they and their friends felt the threat of homophobia in their backyard, when the Wangaratta Rainbow Ball was cancelled due to security concerns.
It was the MP's response that helped ease some of that fear.
Frankie Carroll is a north-east Victorian artist currently studying in the UK. (Supplied: Frankie Carroll)
"She posted on her Facebook, saying to all the queer people in Indi… you're welcome, you're safe and you're loved here," Carroll wrote.
"I always feel so inspired by all the work she was doing, especially with the anti-corruption commission."
'She genuinely cares'
Mansfield's Connor McFadden has described Ms Haines as "a mum to the community".
Ms Haines was elected to the seat of Indi when he was in high school and she visited several times while he was there.
He said Ms Haines made a difference: setting up a leadership program for Mansfield Secondary School's leadership team, securing funding for the local historical society and attending the naming of the Alex 'Chumpy' Pullin stadium.
Connor McFadden is at university in Canberra, but maintains a close connection to his hometown of Mansfield. (Supplied: Connor McFadden)
When Mr McFadden moved to Canberra to study, it wasn't long before he saw a familiar face.
Ms Haines was part of a 'Pollies in the Pub' event, run by the Australian National University's Regional, Rural and Remote Society.
Mr McFadden was attending, and went to introduce himself as a former constituent.
He didn't get very far before Ms Haines' face 'lit up' with recognition.
"She remembered my name, she remembered the Mansfield connection … even though I'd only met her once, and it was two years ago,"
he said.
Ms Haines' nature stuck with Mr McFadden, in a world where, he said, politicians can be 'a bit robotic'.
"It's never like she's trying to get your vote, she genuinely cares about things within your life, in your community, in your family," Mr McFadden said.
"It's what I always admire her for."
Half a world away
Now 21, Carroll is studying over in the UK for a semester.
They said Monday's alleged attack left them shocked, and feeling hopeless.
"I was definitely feeling homesick before all this unfolded, now the ache to be home is a lot stronger," they said.
"I started writing [the comic] as a way to deal with my emotions, and get it all off my chest."
Carroll said they would like to see more empathy in politics, and in general.
"As a country, we all have a responsibility, whether you lean left or right, to practise tolerance," they said.
"I think this event should be a lesson to all of us, that no matter if you disagree, you've got to still respect each other."
The series ends with a Dr Haines' campaign icon, the orange cockatoo, with its wings outspread.
"Thank you, Helen Haines," it reads. "I'm rooting for you."