Jennie Purdie-Smith has lived in Point Cook for four years. She chats with Alesha Capone.
Tell me about yourself.
I grew up in McLaren Vale, a famous wine region in South Australia. I did a hairdressing apprenticeship, became a salon manager and a technician with Wella at the age of 21. After working in New Zealand, I came to Melbourne and later opened my own salon, Silx, in Richmond. I had that for nearly 10 years.
One day I made an appointment with the Richmond Football Club’s general manager and became the Tigers’ official hairstylist for five years. I used to get radio gigs talking about doing the footballers’ hair. I didn’t know what to say, so I used to make stuff up – I said I would give them aerodynamic hairdos to make them run faster!
You’re passionate about mental health.
In 2005, I was one of the Australians of the Year – I got an award for services to the community. I was concerned about mental health, as my salon was across the road from the Melbourne Clinic, and people from there would come to my salon. I made it my mission to learn a lot about mental health.
I got Rotary to run a community forum in Richmond with speakers, including Jeff Kennett from beyondblue. I was a member of Richmond Rotary at the time.
And now you work with young unemployed people?
I am with the Australian Employment Training Solutions (AETS) Youth Jobs PaTH Group, which aims to help people aged 18-25 gain employment skills. They have to come up with a business plan to help charity. It teaches them discipline, teamwork, communication and responsibility.
What do you like about Point Cook, or Wyndham?
I love the community spirit, the open spaces, the fact everything is nice and modern. I like how the Point Cook Town Centre is built to look like a country town shopping strip but is still a shopping centre.
I think it’s great that we’re only 25-30 minutes from Geelong – there are a lot of great restaurants there.
I love the Iramoo Community Centre, which I run the Youth Jobs PaTH Group out of.
For sights, the Victoria State Rose Garden is wonderful, the Werribee Mansion, the Werribee Zoo and the river. Listen To Your Body health studio in Wallace Avenue is fantastic – Trevor and the gang there are great.
Where do you like to eat?
The Wyndham Cache is my favourite for a brunch or long lunch. I love the Waterstone Cafe – the owner Vince makes you feel like you’re in his home.
I also love Cocochine at Point Cook Town Centre and Pelican’s Landing in Williamstown, Mosaic in Altona and Dumpling Story at Pacific Werribee. Emporio is just around the corner in Point Cook and The Brook is great for a pub meal. And I also love Shadowfax.
