From work in the funeral industry to his current role as a manager in the building industry, Mr Middleton said he has gone through a range of experiences.

Now he’s going after another career change, aiming to become a councillor on Queanbeyan Palerang Regional Council in the upcoming election.

The Liberal candidate said he’s hoping to draw on his vast life experience if he is elected to the 11-member council on September 9.

As the current president of the Young Liberals in Eden-Monaro, Mr Middleton said he hopes to be a voice for young people in the region.

“Our district offers all that is good in life, with lovely homes, rural lifestyle, hard-working people, close-knit families and small business that strive to exceed the expectations of the members of the community,” he said.

“We will ensure we keep that.”

In the past few years, Mr Middleton has also undertaken several volunteer missions to work with Indigenous communities in remote parts of Western Australia.

As part of the missions, Mr Middleton was involved in engaging with the remote communities, specifically working with children and teenagers.

The father of two said diversity in the Queanbeyan community was the key to its success.

“The diversity of its people is something for the new council to be proud of, and should be represented by community members with the right experiences to back them,” he said.

Extra support services in the community will form a key part of Mr Middleton’s pitch to voters, including those for older citizens to give greater access to the community.

“More services [are needed] for our youth, some of whom are in great distress, they feel their community does not support them,” he said.