You’ve lived in the region for many years and now own two businesses – how did that come about?
I went to kinder in Castlemaine and when I was 27 years old I came back with my three kids and worked for Bob and Bernadette at the Hot n Crusty Bakery for seven years, while also driving taxis.
I was a single mum and six years ago I bought the business. I also bought a cafe in town. Recently I decided to combine the cafe and bakery and moved here (Barker Street) and at the same time, I bought Extremity. I now have 33 staff, most of them locals.
My children, husband, and I did all the renovations on this place. It took three months. Never again!
Most weekdays I start work at 3.30 am and work until 6pm. Weekends are a little better, starting at 5.30am and finishing at 3pm.
I go home at 6pm and my lovely husband usually has dinner cooked. I actually met him at the bakery, he used to be a regular and would come in for his sausage rolls.
I now have four children. My oldest boy is 28, he’s a plumber and just studied to be a nurse. He’s moving to London for two years with his wife. My 25-year-old boy is a carpet layer, my 23-year-old daughter works at Lyttleton Street Clinic where she’s doing training and our 20-year-old daughter works here at the bakery so she can travel.
It sounds like a very busy life! Do you have time for other interests?
I do work really long days so my husband and I like to veg in front of the TV and watch Netflix. I used to be really involved with Castlemaine Basketball for 20 years as the treasurer, secretary, running the canteen and coaching. Now I’m the President of the Castlemaine Lions Club.
We bought a caravan a year and a half ago and go on family holidays to Warrnambool or Echuca when we can. The whole family went to New Zealand three years ago. Sometimes we hire a house in Queensland and the whole family goes up.
Oh, and I play Bingo once a fortnight in Sunshine. Three or four of us drive down and the prizes are great.
Is there a philosophy you live life by?
Always have a go at everything.
Who are your three dream dinner guests?
My kids. We have dinner together at least once a fortnight. We go to the pub and there are no phones allowed.
What are your pet peeves?
When people park over the laneway and I can’t get out.
What’s your musical genre of choice?
80s. I’m going on a girls’ night in November to the Maryborough Highland Society for a Beatles Night and then to see an ABBA band a week after.
What do you enjoy most about the place you call home?
The people. The kids used to say, ‘we can’t go down the street without someone knowing who you are!’ I like small towns, I could never live in Melbourne. And the shops wouldn’t have survived in a bigger town during COVID. I buy 90 per cent of my stuff locally and the locals supported me during COVID.