Shooting star of Torquay passes away

A STAR of Torquay sadly passed away on Anzac Day morning.

Victoria “Tori” Marshall, 22, was born in London in January 1997. She had a major cardiac abnormality and required open heart surgery soon after birth. Tori also suffered a stroke in 2012 and had several medical complications, none of which changed her passion for life or living to her fullest potential.

She took a couple of years to fully recover from her open heart surgery, but then travelled widely with her parents, visiting between 20 and 30 countries.

Tori and her family settled in Torquay in 2001.

Tori attended Anglesea Kindergarten, St Therese Catholic Primary School in Torquay and Barwon Valley Specialist Education School in Belmont.

After finishing school, Tori had a variety of fulfilling roles. She volunteered at Jan Juc Kinder and at Freshwater Creek Cottages with All Aboard Disability Support Service. Tori worked at The Hub/ Maid’s Cafe in Anglesea and most recently was a full-time member of the ensemble of Back to Back Theatre in Geelong.

Not one to shy away from the limelight, as a child Tori was one of the poster girls for the Interchange program, appearing in TV commercials, on billboards and in other advertising material.

She was also one of the shining lights for the Surf Coast Shire’s reThink disAbility campaign in 2017.

With the NDIS coming to Geelong, she was a key figure in the agency’s promotional material, appearing in a number of videos and advertisements.

Her acting career was also blossoming. Tori performed in “Society”; a show created with Back to Back’s Theatre of Speed. She had also been cast in OddLands, a coming mini-series to be shown on the ABC.

Tori was the much-loved daughter of Peter and Kate, and sister of Alex, Will and Izzy and a treasured friend to many.

She was also a much-loved member of the Surf Coast community and will be sadly missed by all who knew her.

Tori tragically passed away at The Alfred Hospital after a very short battle with illness.

In recognition of Tori’s flamboyant nature and eternal optimism, rather than a funeral, the Marshall family and friends are planning a festival/party for Tori at the Freshwater Creek Cottages in Pettavel Road later next week with the date to be confirmed.

The party will begin at 4 pm and go into the evening, with music, drinks, finger food and dancefloor reflecting some of the things Tori loved with a passion.

It will be dress-ups only at the party, with attendees asked to ignore their inhibitions and dress in costume or colourful clothes.