He said he had been encouraged to look at a possible seat within the district and remained “desperately” keen to serve the community as a political representative.

He admitted “Wannon is close by”, but would not commit to throwing his hat into the ring for the seat.

“After you come out of being unsuccessful in a preselection, you take stock and see what support there is for you and where the support is,” Mr Ramsay said.

“I’m taking a week off to have a bit of reflection as to what I might do and where I might go.”

Mr Ramsay remains an active member of a number of boards, including the National Farmers Federation until next week and operates the family farm business.

Former 7.30 Report host and lawyer Sarah Henderson landed the Corangamite post in a preselection ballot.