A QUICK vote in the state election followed by a road-trip to Lorne for schoolies celebrations.
That was the plan for first time voter Josie Whiteford, 18, of Nerrina, on Saturday.
The recently graduated Loreto College student and self-confessed 'greenie' spoke to The Courier at Black Hill Primary School and said she had been looking forward to her first vote for some time.
"It's something that my friends and I spoke about quite a bit and I have been wishing I could vote in past elections, especially federally," Ms Whiteford said.
"For me, the environment is very important and I will be voting for the Greens.
"I actually think most of my friends will be voting green too. It's important to us."
Ms Whiteford said green policies appealed most, with renewable energy and environment protection important.
She said she received most of her information about the election from the radio, including the ABC-owned Triple J and Ballarat's Power FM.
Ms Whiteford also used the ABC's online 'vote compass' tool to find out which party her views aligned with.
"That was really helpful because it explains the main three parties and all of the policies they stand for,"she said.
"Vote compass also said I should vote green."
Ms Whiteford was travelling with friends to Lorne after her vote and will spend a week there celebrating the end of her schooling.