At the Maldon and Baringhup Show, Victoria is a familiar face in the cookery pavilion, where a spirited family rivalry plays out each year. Whether it’s muffins or hedgehog slice, she competes alongside her mother and brother, keeping the tradition and the friendly banter alive.
But Victoria’s role goes far beyond the entries. As a steward of the cookery section, she’s a driving force behind the scenes, supporting judges and ensuring the event runs smoothly. Her commitment to community is unmistakable.
“The one thing I want to instil in my children is that you don’t get the fun of a country show or any event without the people who make it happen,” she said. “Things like this don’t run without the people behind the scenes.”
That ethos of service extends well beyond the showgrounds. When she’s not working at Bendigo Health, Victoria leads her children’s primary school as School Council President, helping shape educational outcomes and fostering connection among families. Her leadership is grounded in a deep belief in community and collaboration.
Professionally, Victoria’s journey has been marked by steady growth and a willingness to step up. Victoria’s career began in 2012 in casual admin, progressing to Brokerage Contracts Officer in 2013. She helped transition departments into the new hospital and played a key role on move day.
Now, as Contracts Manager, she supports Bendigo Health’s Clinical Team, ensuring contracts for medical goods and services meet both policy and patient needs. Her work blends precision with purpose, always aiming for value and quality care.
It’s a trait she credits to her mother, who was also deeply involved in school councils and community groups. With both parents, her husband, and now herself having worked at Bendigo Health, Victoria says caring for others is simply part of her DNA.
Victoria also plays an important role of embedding Bendigo Health’s policy commitments to sustainability into the way procurement operates. “Every contact is an opportunity to think about more than just cost,” she said. “We look at the environmental impact of what we’re buying, the packaging it comes in, and whether supplies are working towards greener, more responsible practices.” She has been closely involved in initiatives to reduce the organisation’s carbon footprint, such as introduction of energy-efficient equipment, cutting back on single-use plastics, and exploring opportunities for recycling and reprocessing were safe and viable.
Victoria believes sustainability is everyone’s responsibility whether in procurement, on the ward, or behind the scenes.
“Big or small, every action adds up,” she said. “It can be something as simple as using less paper or being mindful of waste, or it can be supporting the larger projects that drive us closer to net zero. We all have a part to play.”
Victoria is quick to acknowledge the support of her husband, two children, two fur babies, and a network of friends and colleagues. One pivotal moment came when she applied for her first Procurement role while pregnant. “I told David [Ray], and rather than seeing it as a setback, he offered me the position and reassured me there’d be time to train before maternity leave. I’ll never forget that.”
She ensures all contracts comply with legislation and health policies, while also meeting the practical needs of patients and staff. The focus is not only on securing the right price but also achieving the best value for the organisation and the community it serves.
For Victoria, excellence isn’t about accolades. It’s about showing up, pitching in, and giving a little more.
“You always find time to give a little more,” she said.
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