Strong leadership in medicine requires both clinical insight and a passion for advocacy — and Simon Judkins brings both to his new role as President of AMA Victoria. 

In this episode, the Bongiorno Group’s Executive Consultant Trevor Baxter speaks with Dr Simon Judkins, Director of Emergency Medicine at Echuca Regional Health and a respected voice in healthcare reform. With a career spanning frontline emergency care, leadership at Austin Health, and presidency of the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine, Simon shares what motivated him to lead AMA Victoria. 

He discusses the pressing issues facing Victorian doctors today — from workforce burnout to fractured hospital systems — and outlines AMA Victoria’s priorities, including advocacy, member engagement, and driving systemic improvements across regional and metropolitan healthcare services. 

AMA Victoria:
https://amavic.com.au/ 

The Money Doctors is proudly brought to you by leading financial services organisation the Bongiorno Group, the preferred tax and accounting partner for the Australian Medical Association Victoria and the Victorian & Tasmanian Regional Alliance Partner of the Australian Orthoapedic Association.

For more information, please call 03 9863 3111 or visit https://bongiorno.com.au/  

This general advice has been prepared without taking account of your objectives, financial situation or needs. You should consider the appropriateness of this advice before acting on it. If this general advice relates to acquiring a financial product, you should obtain a Product Disclosure Statement before deciding to acquire the product. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Serving on a board offers medical professionals a unique way to extend their expertise beyond clinical practice, contribute to the community, and broaden their leadership skills. But with the opportunity comes responsibility. Directors are entrusted with governance, strategy, and risk oversight, often in complex and sensitive environments. 

Lawyer and experienced board chair Vic Rajah explains to the Bongiorno’s Group’s Chantelle Turner what’s really involved in board service, from the time commitment to the legal obligations and potential liabilities. Drawing on his roles with Best Chance, a large not-for-profit supporting children and families, and other community organisations, Vic outlines the rewards, risks, and considerations for doctors seeking to take on this vital role.

Vic Rajah Family Lawyers
https://www.vicrajah.com.au/ 

The Money Doctors is proudly brought to you by leading financial services organisation the Bongiorno Group, the preferred tax and accounting partner for the Australian Medical Association Victoria and the Victorian & Tasmanian Regional Alliance Partner of the Australian Orthoapedic Association. 

For more information, please call 03 9863 3111 or visit https://bongiorno.com.au/   

This general advice has been prepared without taking account of your objectives, financial situation or needs. You should consider the appropriateness of this advice before acting on it. If this general advice relates to acquiring a financial product, you should obtain a Product Disclosure Statement before deciding to acquire the product. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Having an up-to-date will is essential – but understanding whether to include a testamentary trust can be just as important. These trusts can offer asset protection, oversight for vulnerable beneficiaries, and potential tax benefits, but they also bring complexity and ongoing costs that may not suit every family. 

To unpack this further, Ricky Caldow, Director at the Bongiorno Group, speaks with Jackson Barrett of Barrett & Co Legal. They also discuss the risks of dying without a will: loss of control, costly disputes, and outcomes very different from what you intended. 

Barrett + Co Legal 

https://barrettcolegal.com.au/ 

The Money Doctors is proudly brought to you by leading financial services organisation the Bongiorno Group, the preferred tax and accounting partner for the Australian Medical Association Victoria. 

For more information, please call 03 9863 3111 or visit https://bongiorno.com.au/  

This general advice has been prepared without taking account of your objectives, financial situation or needs. You should consider the appropriateness of this advice before acting on it. If this general advice relates to acquiring a financial product, you should obtain a Product Disclosure Statement before deciding to acquire the product. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A will is one of the most important documents a person can have – but it’s often overlooked until it’s too late. If you have assets, a family, or even a single property, you should already have one. 

Ricky Caldow, Director at the Bongiorno Group, is joined by Jackson Barrett, founder and principal lawyer at Barrett + Co Legal, who explains the essentials of will-making: who an executor is, why beneficiaries should ideally be named specifically, and why certain assets – a like superannuation or property held in companies – aren’t automatically covered. 

He breaks down the legal nuances, like when to update your will, the risks of ambiguous clauses, and how disputes between family members can arise, even when intentions are clear. Jackson also discusses duties of executors, how joint executors work, and potential tax and stamp duty consequences when deviating from what a will states. 

Barrett + Co Legal 
https://barrettcolegal.com.au/ 

The Money Doctors is proudly brought to you by leading financial services organisation the Bongiorno Group, the preferred tax and accounting partner for the Australian Medical Association Victoria. 

For more information, please call 03 9863 3111 or visit https://bongiorno.com.au/  

This general advice has been prepared without taking account of your objectives, financial situation or needs. You should consider the appropriateness of this advice before acting on it. If this general advice relates to acquiring a financial product, you should obtain a Product Disclosure Statement before deciding to acquire the product.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Having income protection in place is one thing—knowing it will deliver when you need it most is another. The Bongiorno Group’s Ricky Caldow and Mitch McKeown return to discuss a real-life income protection claim involving one of their medical clients. The case highlights the critical role insurance plays in supporting professionals through serious health challenges. They walk through the claims process, the types of benefits that were triggered, and the financial relief it provided during a time of great uncertainty. 

The Money Doctors is proudly brought to you by leading financial services organisation the Bongiorno Group, the preferred tax and accounting partner for the Australian Medical Association Victoria. 

For more information, please call 03 9863 3111 or visit https://bongiorno.com.au/  

This general advice has been prepared without taking account of your objectives, financial situation or needs. You should consider the appropriateness of this advice before acting on it. If this general advice relates to acquiring a financial product, you should obtain a Product Disclosure Statement before deciding to acquire the product. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What if your most important asset isn’t what you think it is? It’s not your house, your car, or even your investment portfolio. In this episode, we dive into the kind of asset that often gets overlooked – but losing it could change everything. Matthew Homewood, Financial Consultant, and Tom Will, Risk Adviser at The Bongiorno Group, reveal how doctors can protect what really matters, avoid common pitfalls, and build a safety net for the unexpected. Curious what that asset is? Tune in. 

The Money Doctors is proudly brought to you by leading financial services organisation the Bongiorno Group, the preferred tax and accounting partner for the Australian Medical Association Victoria. 

For more information, please call 03 9863 3111 or visit https://bongiorno.com.au/ 

This general advice has been prepared without taking account of your objectives, financial situation or needs. You should consider the appropriateness of this advice before acting on it. If this general advice relates to acquiring a financial product, you should obtain a Product Disclosure Statement before deciding to acquire the product. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Think you’re on top of your tax, but then get hit with a surprise bill? You’re not alone. The Bongiorno Group’s Chantelle Turner and Helen Cheng break down the mystery of PAYG instalments – what they are, who needs to pay them, and how to avoid the dreaded “catch-up” payment. Whether you’re a doctor with private billings or a sole trader with ABN income, understanding how the ATO calculates and collects tax throughout the year can save you heartache at tax time. 

The Money Doctors is proudly brought to you by leading financial services organisation the Bongiorno Group, the preferred tax and accounting partner for the Australian Medical Association Victoria. 

For more information, please call 03 9863 3111 or visit https://bongiorno.com.au/  

This general advice has been prepared without taking account of your objectives, financial situation or needs. You should consider the appropriateness of this advice before acting on it. If this general advice relates to acquiring a financial product, you should obtain a Product Disclosure Statement before deciding to acquire the product. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While interest rates often steal the spotlight, it’s the structure, strategy and advice behind your home loan that can have the biggest long-term impact. The Bongiorno Group’s Financial Consultant Matt Homewood and Finance Manager Jack Will break down how banks determine your actual rate, what drives discounting, and why your loan setup matters more than simply aiming for an interest-rate discount. From offset accounts and investment structures to future income assessments, they explain how tailored lending strategies – especially for doctors – can boost flexibility, improve borrowing power and set you up for future success. 

The Money Doctors is proudly brought to you by leading financial services organisation the Bongiorno Group, the preferred tax and accounting partner for the Australian Medical Association Victoria.

For more information, please call 03 9863 3111 or visit https://bongiorno.com.au/ 

This general advice has been prepared without taking account of your objectives, financial situation or needs. You should consider the appropriateness of this advice before acting on it. If this general advice relates to acquiring a financial product, you should obtain a Product Disclosure Statement before deciding to acquire the product.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many Australians underestimate how quickly illness, disability, or death can derail their financial stability. Life insurance isn’t just about protecting loved ones – it’s about protecting income, assets, and lifestyle.

Tom Will, Risk Adviser at the Bongiorno Group, discusses with Dr Jeff Scott, Head of Advice Strategy at MetLife Australia, who really needs life insurance and why. They explore the key types of cover – death, TPD, trauma, and income protection – and how each can support both personal and business needs. They also cover eligibility, tax considerations, and why self-insuring can be a risky fallback. 

 

The Money Doctors is proudly brought to you by leading financial services organisation the Bongiorno Group, the preferred tax and accounting partner for the Australian Medical Association Victoria. 

For more information, please call 03 9863 3111 or visit https://bongiorno.com.au/ 

This general advice has been prepared without taking account of your objectives, financial situation or needs. You should consider the appropriateness of this advice before acting on it. If this general advice relates to acquiring a financial product, you should obtain a Product Disclosure Statement before deciding to acquire the product.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While auction day gets all the attention, it’s the weeks beforehand – quiet strategy, early inspections, buyer conversations – that often determine the final result. 

In this second of a two-part series on selling a home, the Bongiorno Group’s Ricky Caldow is joined by Marshall White real estate agent Ben Bongiorno to explore the key stages in the lead-up to auction. 

A well-structured campaign, early buyer engagement, and open communication between agent and vendor are key to achieving the best possible outcome on auction day. 

The Money Doctors is proudly brought to you by leading financial services organisation the Bongiorno Group, the preferred tax and accounting partner for the Australian Medical Association Victoria. 

For more information, please call 03 9863 3111 or visit https://bongiorno.com.au/  

This general advice has been prepared without taking account of your objectives, financial situation or needs. You should consider the appropriateness of this advice before acting on it. If this general advice relates to acquiring a financial product, you should obtain a Product Disclosure Statement before deciding to acquire the product. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.