19/05/2026
Vicki has only been volunteering with Bendigo Foodshare for a couple of months, but in that short time, she’s already embraced just about every opportunity that has come her way.
After hearing about Bendigo Foodshare through a friend in her craft group, Vicki decided to get involved and hasn’t looked back since.
Before volunteering, Vicki spent 12 years working as a pharmacy assistant. Through her role, she saw firsthand the challenges many people in the community face, which inspired her to give back in a meaningful way.
Since joining the team, Vicki has enthusiastically stepped into a wide range of roles across the organisation. From assisting van drivers with food rescue and deliveries, to working on the warehouse floor, sorting with the book fair, lending a hand on our Golden Gums Farm and preparing our farm produce for sale at our Good Food Market and Bendigo Community Farmers Market, she’s truly given everything a go.
Moving forward, Vicki is looking forward to focusing her time on the farm and at our Good Food Market stall — areas she’s particularly passionate about.
“I love the people and atmosphere volunteering here. It also gives me a sense of purpose,” she says.
One of the things Vicki enjoys most about volunteering is seeing the full journey of the food. From growing and harvesting produce on the farm, to preparing it and ultimately seeing it sold at the Good Food Market or delivered to food relief partners — she appreciates being part of the entire lifecycle.
She also finds working out at the farm especially rewarding.
“Working out at the farm is peaceful.”
Outside of volunteering, Vicki is a keen crafter who enjoys knitting, crocheting, and sewing. She’s also surprised the team by sharing that she is a fan of horror movies and heavy metal music!
For anyone thinking about volunteering this year, she has simple but encouraging advice:
“Absolutely do it. Bendigo Foodshare is very welcoming and supportive. There’s always someone around to ask for help.”
And perhaps most importantly:
“Working here gives you a really good feeling.”
You’ll regularly see Vicki at our Good Food Market, selling the produce she has helped harvest from our Golden Gums Farm.
📍 Located at the Bendigo Foodshare warehouse, the Good Food Market is open to the public on Wednesdays and Fridays from 10am–3pm.
For more information on volunteering at Bendigo Foodshare, visit our website here.
