Cary Pedicini

Chief Executive Officer

As the recently appointed CEO of Variety Victoria – The Children’s Charity, Cary Pedicini brings extensive experience gained predominantly in leadership roles in Not-for-Profit, Associations and Government enterprises.  Cary was previously the CEO of Volunteering Australia and was a member of several ministerial advisory groups and working parties which successfully advocated for and contributed to the development of the Australian Government’s National Volunteering Strategy and the harmonisation of legislation to protect volunteers in the workplace.

Prior to Volunteering Australia, Cary led the growth strategy of Mission Australia in Victoria resulting in the expansion of employment, training and community service programs

Cary brings specialist expertise in identifying not-for-profit growth and innovation opportunities through organisational reform, service development, expansion and acquisition. 

In addition, Cary is significantly experienced in governance structures and contemporary board practices and is a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

His Ministerial appointments have included the National Volunteering Strategy Advisory Group, and the Not-for-Profit Reform Council, Volunteer Workplace Health and Safety Working Group.

Cary holds a Masters’ Degree in Business Management and his current professional affiliations include Australian Red Cross, National Volunteer Strategy Advisory Group; Chain Reaction Foundation, Specialist Consultant; and Centre for Social Impact - Advisory Council Member.

Judy Thompson

Finance and Administration Manager 

Judy comes to Variety with a wealth of experience in senior management roles in the private and not for profit sectors.

Julie Baxter

Bash Event and Development Manager

Julie has a long career in event management producing large corporate and community events. Julie took part in her first Bash in 2008 and is responsible for growing and developing the event.

Janette Connolly

Programs and Events Manager

Janette has been with Variety for over 7 years and oversees all of our corporate events. She sat on the board of management for two years prior to taking the position of Events Manager for Variety Victoria. She also manages the Variety Children's Christmas Party as well as developing our smaller motoring events from the Variety 4WD Trek to the Variety Splash.

Pauline Graafmans

Community/Children’s Events Coordinator 

Pauline now provides support to our community and corporate events department. Her main roles include coordinating our Variety@Work program, Bikes4Kids Bike Presentations and the Variety Children's Christmas Party. Pauline came to Variety with experience in administration roles with Flight Centre and Life Education. Pauline has been with Variety since 2009.

Jessica Kidd

Administration Support

Jessica coordinates reception duties for the Victorian office and provides administrative support to all Variety team members and departments. Jessica commenced with Variety in November 2012.

Christina Mackieson

Database Administration Officer

Christina has implemented and is the coordinator of the new Variety Victoria database. Christina comes to Variety with a Bachelor of Arts from Latrobe and has an extensive background in the retail and not for profit sector having worked for The Cancer Council and several major retail outlets. Christina commenced with Variety in September 2011.

Emma Mills

Administration Support

Emma has responsibility for using the ThankQ database for processing all incoming financial transactions. Emma hails from New Zealand and has been living in Australia since December 2011. Having previously held assistant accounting roles, Emma commenced with Variety in April 2012.

Georgie Smith

Graphic Designer

Georgie Smith has a career history in production management, design and marketing across corporate, government and not-for-profit sectors. Georgie returned to the Variety team in 2013 as Graphic Designer and is responsible for all internal and external collateral, photography and video. Georgie completed her Master of Fine Art (by Research) with First Class Honours in 2012 at the Victorian College of the Arts.