By Peter Douglas
Fresh from her pre-selection for Evelyn last week, Bridget Vallence took the time to speak with the ‘Mail’ about her road to the 2018 Victorian Election.
Christine Fyffe’s soon-to-be successor said her candidacy was never a fait accompli, enduring a gruelling process where she eventually trumped six potential candidates, including Ms Fyffe’s son, Scott.
Ms Fyffe, who will retire before the next election, said Bridget had endured a “very public and tough” pre-selection process, which included around 70 interviews with delegates.
Ms Vallence said she could not be more excited, having been involved with the Liberal Party for more than 20 years.
Despite her family being Liberal Party supporters, she said it wasn’t so much the party’s sentiment but rather its leaders who had inspired her journey into political life.
“As a high school student, I learnt about politics … listened to the radio and watched the ‘7.30 Report’ and got interested,” she said.
“When I was in my late teens, John Howard was Prime Minister and Jeff Kennett was Victorian Premier; I found those leaders to be strong and reforming leaders … (they) inspired me to get involved.
“I first started volunteering with the Liberal Party when I was 18.
“I first got involved at Melbourne University, joined the Liberal Club there and got involved in campus politics.”
Ms Vallence said while she was passionate about many issues within Evelyn, she said people kept speaking to her about law and order.
“People in Evelyn, and right across Victoria, are fast becoming victims of crime,” she said.
“We’ve seen a really large increase in the last 12 months in crime rates, by far in excess of the average across the state.”
Born and bred in the country Victorian town of Romsey, Ms Vallence now resides in Wandin with her husband and two young sons.
She said the Yarra Valley appealed to their desire for a country lifestyle, with a need to balance their work commitments.
Ms Vallence has spent much of her working life as a procurement manager with Goodyear.
Despite suggestions within the media a female candidate would be well received within State Liberal ranks, Ms Vallence said there was no such agenda.
“Our aspiration within the Liberal Party is to represent modern Victoria – we don’t have quotas, we like to represent men and women from diverse backgrounds, we’re about merit,” she said.
“It was a tough couple of months leading in, but very enjoyable to get around to many delegates and listen to what matters with them.”
Ms Vallence said she had known leader Matthew Guy for some time and that she was looking forward to working closely Ms Fyffe in the lead-up to the November 2018 election.
