Mary-Ann Martinek - Candidate for Bendigo West

21/10/2026

🇦🇺 I report these experiences because I want meaningful change.🇦🇺

I was driven at twice in a shared laneway. I have an accepted TAC claim and continue to receive treatment for injuries from the first incident in 2018. After the second incident, I obtained a protection order. Despite my reports to Bendigo police, I do not believe I have received the action needed to protect me.

These experiences have strengthened my determination to advocate for a Veterans Court in Bendigo, alongside better support for veterans seeking safety and navigating the justice system.

The Australian Government’s $5 million commitment to a Bendigo Veterans’ and Families’ Hub is an opportunity to strengthen local support. I want legal assistance, trauma-informed services and practical pathways to protection to be part of that conversation.

If you want to help, start by listening and understanding what is needed. I welcome people with legal, veteran advocacy, health and community experience to help turn these concerns into a practical proposal.

Veterans and their families deserve safety, a fair hearing and support close to home.

Authorised by MaryAnn Martinek 153-155 Don St Bendigo VIC 3550

12/10/2026

🇦🇺 FEMALE VETERANS: SAFETY, JUSTICE AND A VOICE

Elizabeth “Liz” Boulton’s article on female veteran su***de raises concerns that deserve sustained attention: abuse, discrimination, failures in responding to complaints, and the exclusion of survivors from decisions affecting them.

As a female Army veteran and Independent candidate for Bendigo West, my campaign priorities are:

1️⃣ Independent accountability — “IBAC 2”
I am calling for a strengthened Victorian oversight model to independently examine serious police misconduct and failures in responding to people reporting abuse, including veterans.

2️⃣ A clear pathway for unresolved complaints
Veterans need help navigating Victorian and Commonwealth responsibilities, with clear referrals, written reasons and progress updates.

3️⃣ Safe homes and communities
Reporting stalking, threats, violence or harassment should lead to a fair assessment, a recorded complaint and practical safety support.

4️⃣ Support designed with female veterans
Accessible services addressing military trauma, sexual violence, housing, health and the transition to civilian life.

5️⃣ Regional access
Bendigo and Central Victorian veterans need timely counselling, advocacy and coordinated support close to home.

6️⃣ Survivors at the decision-making table
Female veterans and families must help shape services, oversight and reform.

7️⃣ Public accountability
I will advocate for published progress reports on Victoria’s response to the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Su***de recommendations relevant to the state.

Independent oversight must work alongside healthcare, housing and community support as part of a comprehensive su***de-prevention response.

Women who served deserve to be heard, protected and treated fairly.

Mary-Ann Martinek
Independent candidate for Bendigo West


Read Liz Boulton’s article:
https://womensagenda.com.au/latest/soapbox/we-must-address-the-alarming-rates-of-female-veteran-su***de/

Veterans and families seeking support can contact Open Arms, 24/7: 1800 011 046.

Authorised by MaryAnn Martinek, 153–155 Don St, Bendigo VIC 3550.

11/10/2026

🏡 Rocky Vale Villa is private property — it is NOT abandoned.

I’m Mary-Ann Martinek, the Project Officer for Rocky Vale Villa. The property is cared for by our caretaker, who alerted me that visitors were finding it through TikTok posts describing it as abandoned.

The property has also suffered vandalism. Please respect the property and remember that entry requires permission.

If you’ve posted content describing Rocky Vale Villa as abandoned, please correct that description.

Follow my TikTok page, , for updates:
https://www.tiktok.com/



Authorised by MaryAnn Martinek 153-155 Don St Bendigo VIC 3550

10/10/2026

Everyone deserves to feel safe in their own home.

I have twice been struck by a car that I believe was deliberately driven at me—once injuring my left hand and, on another occasion, my right leg. Despite my reports, police did not charge the driver.

The injury to my left hand is permanent. I have an accepted TAC claim relating to that incident and am currently receiving treatment.

These experiences are why I support a Victorian State Parliamentary inquiry into institutional responses to safety in our homes. The inquiry should examine how police and other authorities respond to reports of violence, intimidation, stalking and escalating threats, including incidents involving neighbours and shared property.

I previously started Victorian Parliament Petition #589, “Bendigo crime reporting and police record systems”, calling for a police event reference number and a written receipt recording the report, advice given, date and time.

That remains a practical reform I support. People should have a reference number to follow up their report, provide further evidence and help authorities identify repeated incidents or escalating danger.

People who report harm deserve to be heard, have their evidence properly examined, and receive clear explanations for decisions made. The inquiry must hear from survivors and assess whether existing protections work in practice.

Alongside my support for royal commissions into Victoria Police and femicide, I am calling for meaningful scrutiny of how our institutions protect people where they live.

My earlier petition:
https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/get-involved/petitions/bendigo-crime-reporting-and-police-record-systems/

MaryAnn Martinek
Independent candidate for Bendigo West



Authorised by MaryAnn Martinek 153-155 Don St Bendigo vic 3550

The petition of certain citizens of the State of Victoria draws to the attention of the Legislative Council the community concerns regarding the increase in crime and lack of police presence in Bendigo. This includes the failure by police in Bendigo to provide an event number and receipt outlining t...

09/10/2026

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Authorised by MaryAnn Martinek 153-155 Don St Bendigo Vic 3550 or to PO Box 762 Bendigo Central Vic 3552

MaryAnn Martinek for Bendigo West Support an independent voice for our community. My name is Mary-Ann Martinek, and I am standing as an independent for Bendigo West in the 2026 Victorian state electio