Meet Christopher Alory, Digital Communications Advisor, Public Affairs, Northern Health.

Q. You are a Digital Communications Advisor – what does the job entail?
A. In my role, I use a variety of skills, with my main focus being the website and intranet – updating provided content, giving it structure, and improving its visual presentation. I also take on a range of smaller tasks, including moderating social media, creating visuals for digital platforms, designing pull-up banners and documents, branding, taking photos, and editing videos. I use these skills to ensure information is clear, engaging, and reaches the right audience. I enjoy being hands-on across different areas, which makes my work varied and rewarding every day.

Q. You’ve played a leading role in one of Northern Health’s biggest digital transformations – the new website. What has that journey been like?
A. It’s been a roller coaster ride! At the beginning, everything feels fine, and you slowly climb up by regrouping all the information, talking to the right people, and working closely with the designer. Then comes the drop near the end of the project, when everything is happening at the same time, and you receive dozens of requests per day, on top of your daily tasks. It was also a challenge to balance the new and old versions of the website, as this effectively doubled the workload.

It required a lot of adaptation and strong support from my team to help reorganise the work. Now that the website is launched, we have a good and healthy foundation in place, which allows us to move forward and hopefully keep improving it over time.

Q. As a custodian of Northern Health’s corporate brand, why is consistent branding so important in healthcare communications?
A. This is especially important in healthcare. Branding is not there to make things harder for staff, but to create a strong and clear link between the work people do at Northern Health and how that work is seen by patients and the community. Consistent branding helps build trust and credibility, which is essential in healthcare. It also makes information easier to recognise and understand, reduces confusion, and creates a more reassuring experience for patients and families. In the end, a strong and consistent brand helps Northern Health feel reliable, professional, and approachable.

Q. What’s your favourite memory since joining Northern Health?
A. It’s hard to choose just one memory because there are so many things I can appreciate about Northern Health. If I had to sum it up, I would say it is the Public Affairs team. They are always welcoming and supportive, and that made a big difference for me when I joined. I also really enjoy being part of the big events we run. Even when I was only volunteering or taking a small role, it still felt exceptional to be involved.

And finally, the people I have met along the way have made this experience very special. I have heard and witnessed so many remarkable and touching stories from patients, colleagues, patrons, and collaborators. The values in this workplace are something truly exceptional.

Q. If you were a superhero, who would you be and why?
A. That’s a tricky question, because I’ve never really felt the need to be a superhero. But if I had to choose one, it would probably be Spider‑Man. Not because of his powers, but because, like Peter Parker, I enjoy helping people in practical, everyday ways without needing to be in the spotlight. That really connects to my previous involvement in the City of Melbourne International Student Ambassador Program, which was designed to support and help international students in their day‑to‑day lives by giving them the tools, relief and support they need along their journey.

Q. If you could instantly teleport anywhere in the world right now, where would you go and why?
A. This one is easy – somewhere warm. If I follow my slightly selfish side, I’d say a holiday in Thailand for the postcard-worthy landscapes and relaxed lifestyle. But if I follow my heart, I’d teleport back to my hometown in France to spend time with my family and friends, who I don’t get to see as often as I’d like. And, if I’m being completely honest, I’d also go back for my nona’s cooking, which I miss a lot.