Dr Bindi Venugopalan recently started working at the InnerCare Family Health Clinic in Point Cook, and she also lives in the suburb. She chats with Alesha Capone.
Tell me a bit about yourself.
I’m a mum with two little girls and I am a doctor. I’ve been a doctor since 2005, and I came to Australia (from Malaysia) in 2008. I’ve worked across many hospitals around Australia. In 2012, we settled in Point Cook. In 2017, I started specialising in what I like to call “GP land” or “GP world”. I took a posting a little town in Mount Gambier in South Australia, I loved the country life, we met amazing people and they were so friendly. After three years, I became pregnant again and we decided that we would like to be closer to family. I have two sisters in Melbourne, so we moved back to Point Cook.
Why did you decide upon medicine as a career?
I have always wanted to be a doctor. It’s just about being there, helping people to understand their health. Also, I am all about prevention, I like to talk about preventing something happening, rather than have it happen to someone. I’m looking forward to talking to patients about their concerns.
Has the COVID-19 pandemic changed much about the way you work?
It hasn’t changed significantly, because we’re now offering telehealth appointments. We do screen patients before they come into the clinic, for the health and safety of our staff. I still follow up with all my clients though, nothing has changed in that regard.
What do you like about Point Cook?
I love that it’s a suburb filled with your families, lots of little children, but also older retired people as well. It’s a cultural melting pot, you never know who you will meet next.
Between 2012 and when you moved to Mount Gambier for three years, and then came back, has the area changed much?
There are a lot more cars on the road, which means there are a lot more people moving in. There are lots more cafes and more houses.
Do you have a favourite place to eat or get coffee in Wyndham?
I like Mun Korean Kitchen in Williams Landing. I love Korean and Japanese food, there are a few restaurants we usually get food from.
Would you like to add anything else?
If you see me out walking with my husband Shyam, two daughters – one in a pram – and our two Jack Russell dogs, wave or come and say hello.
