IN SUMMER she's a lifeguard at the beach, on patrol for the Inverloch Surf Life Saving Club. In winter she's on the netball court, defending the goals for the Tarwin Sharks. During the year she's at Monash University, where she has worked as a lecturer in physical education for the past three years.
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She has completed one triathlon and hopes to do more. She has two degrees, one in Applied Science and one in Education, and she has nearly finished a Master of Education.
She's a fit, friendly and focused mother of four. And thanks to Saturday's federal election she's bound for the Senate, where she will represent the Nationals from July next year. Introducing Bridget McKenzie, senator-elect for Victoria.
The 40-year-old from Leongatha South believes strongly in participation - both in physical activity and in democracy. When not patrolling the beach in summer she can be found in the swimming pool, racing for the Leongatha swimming club. This winter she ''pulled on the skirt'' for the Tarwin Sharks every week bar three, when political commitments took priority over her on-court roles of goal defence and goal keeper.
In addition to a lifelong commitment to sport and fitness, Ms McKenzie has had a lifelong passion for politics. She became a member of the Nationals at 18 and grew up in a country household where both parents were Nationals supporters who regularly debated politics.
Ms McKenzie has lived in many parts of country Victoria including Marysville, Eildon, Benalla, Healesville and now, Leongatha South. Her country credentials run deep; her grandfather and his ancestors were high-country cattlemen.
''I think that I've always known that the country has to stand up for the country. We have to stand up for ourselves, no one is going to stand up for us,'' she says.
''I joined the Nats when I was 18, so I've always been involved in politics at a grassroots level.''
As a mature-age university student she served a year as president of the Deakin University Students Association, representing about 31,000 students during a time of significant change in higher education. Her Nationals CV includes time as secretary/treasurer of the party's Leongatha branch, various other local roles and a two-year stint as junior vice-president of the Victorian Nationals.
In the 2004 federal election she stood for the Nationals in the seat of McMillan, which was won from Labor by the Liberal Party's Russell Broadbent. Now she is ready to take her political experience and ambition to Canberra, where she believes the Senate plays a crucial role.
''I prefer the work of the Senate. I think it's the check on executive government that we have. I think the committee work of the Senate [is vital]. I like going into detail, I like finding solutions,'' she says.
''I want to be a really strong advocate for regional Victoria - and I think that there's lot of work to do in fulfilling the role as a senator for Victoria.''
Because it was funded by the government Ms McKenzie had to quit her job as a university lecturer in order to run for the Senate. This means she has a bit more time on her hands, perhaps enough to write up her master's thesis.
Her research, which has the working title Cowgirls and Connectedness, is about young women in rural areas and their relationship with physical activity. She chose this topic after observing that many young women in country areas give up sport and physical activity while still young.
Which is exactly what this athletic mum has not done.
When it comes to sporting prowess Tony Abbott will clearly have an impressive Coalition rival when Bridget McKenzie arrives in Canberra. Ms McKenzie, however, addresses this issue diplomatically. ''I'm not as fit as Tony Abbott. I would have to do some training,'' she says.
