Mr Lyons was the federal member for Bass between 2010 and 2013, when he was succeeded by Liberal Andrew Nikolic.

"There are more people out there to help and I should make a contribution," Mr Lyons said on his reason for running for the seat of Windermere.

"I think I should make the contribution to assist the most people possible and I think Windermere is an area that I fit in well, and I'm pretty sure I can make a significant difference in this area.

"I've knocked on about 7500 doors and I've delivered two lots of 10,000 brochures and I've found it to be very positive, recognition is there, people know me through various things.

"There's more for me to do".

Born in Sydney, Mr Lyons moved to Tasmania before school - educated in the North during primary and high school, with time spent at TasTAFE in Launceston and Burnie, also studying units at the University of Tasmania.

Not holding a formal qualification never hindered Mr Lyons - with a background working for the courts and the health department.

Mr Lyons said he understood his privilege - which is why he is so passionate about education as one of his platforms for standing.

"We've got to work on getting people trained for jobs," Mr Lyons said, highlighting the high unemployment rate amongst young people.

"TasTAFE is really important, when you think about places like [hospitality venues] who can't get enough catering staff, we should be churning them out and we just aren't, so you end up with not enough employees and therefore the hours of the business go down.

"TasTAFE should be the role of looking after the people we need in the future".

Mr Lyons has a long history in community service in different areas - across Surf Live Saving Australia and Tasmania, football clubs, netball, judo and more.

"I've had a 51-year Surf career, I've been a national director and I'm still involved, I still do patrols - this year I've done a number of rescues, called out by either police or the fire service," he said.

"I still qualify every year and while I can still do that I'll keep fronting up."

Mr Lyons has been awarded as a Life Member of Surf Lifesaving Tasmania, Surf Life Saving Australia and the North Launceston Football Club - becoming a Member of the Order of Australia in 2016.

When asked about what drives him to serve, he simply answered "I don't know".

"I guess I think it's the right thing to do," he said.

"I think we need to contribute, particularly to the vulnerable, and we need to make sure that people have got the opportunity of service and that's one of my big things".

One of the key areas of focus for Mr Lyons is healthcare, wanting to see real change for the electorate.

"There are some really sad stories out there, there are some real tragedies," he said.

"We have people who can't afford to go to the doctor because they can't afford the additional fee above the Medicare rebate.

"One girl I met in Ravenswood, she only had $100 to live on. To have to find the additional money for doctors wasn't possible, she said she just can't go to the doctor."

Housing is another key passion for Mr Lyons - wanting to see more social housing developed and a reduction in people on the waiting list.

With the current retiring member an independent and many calling for an independent to replace him, Mr Lyons saw being a Labor candidate as a benefit to the community.

"It's never been independent, not since the 1950s," he said.

"I think having a party behind you, it gives you greater resources to really hone in on the legislation as it comes before you.

"I think I'm smart enough and have the ability to actually guide the party, and being a part of it gives me that opportunity - if you're outside the fence you wouldn't have that chance, and I have my feet on the ground and I think I can be influential in making sure Labor look after jobs and working people".

Mr Lyons touted his experience in local and federal government, as well as his time running businesses as to why people should vote for him.

"Having worked for the Attorney-General as the head of office I'm aware of how legislation goes through parliament and I think that's a big advantage over others."