It all started with his name getting pulled out of a hat.
A former midlands minister of state says his political career began because his name was picked out of a hat.
Willie Penrose served as a Labour TD in Westmeath since 1992 but decided not to run in the recent general election.
The Ballynacarrigy man joined the party as early as the 1960s and has worked since then to promote the Labour message in the area.
But he first became a public rep when he co-opted onto Westmeath County Council in 1984 in unusual circumstances:
Willie also says he holds the record for the youngest ever branch secretary.
He first started out in the party when he was appointed secretary of the Ballynacarrigy branch aged just 13.
It's no surprise he started out so early, with his roots firmly in the Labour movement - his grandmother was in the 1913 Lockout and his father was later involved with trade unions.
But on the night of the revival of the local party branch, Willie was suggested as a prime candidate for the role of secretary:
Almost €446,000 Allocated To Midlands Community Centres And Clubhouses
Two People Killed In Offaly Following Fatal Crash
Midlands Family Takes On Ireland’s Fittest Family Challenge
5K Fundraiser To Support Motor Neurone Disease Association Takes Place In Westmeath
No Slowing Down With Age As Westmeath Bowlers Shine At 14th Annual National Bowls Competition
Woman Appears In Court Over €280k Cannabis Seizure In Midlands
Status Yellow Fog Warning Issued For Leinster, Munster And Galway
Call For More Public Toilets Across The Midlands And Beyond