Wendy Poynton (van Essen) - the last 40 years

Occupation/s? Tell us what you have been doing

1978 -1981 Employed by Poynton's Nurseries, 1982-1985 work at several part time jobs, contract cleaner, mail sorting, playgroup assistant. 1987- 1990 worked as a process worker at Perfecta, 1990- 2012 went to work at Australian Weaving mills in Devonport as a weaver, gradually working my way up to being a supervisor, 17 years on nightshift...yikes not sure how I survived! The factory closed down so there I was at 50+ thinking I need a new career! I spotted an advert for real estate training in the Advocate and decided to give it a go. Passed the exam and was lucky enough to get a job at Harcourts in Ulverstone, I have now been selling houses for over three years and loving it!

What would you tell your 1977 self if you could send them a message now?

I would have continued on at school and become the teacher I always aspired to be. Perhaps would have loved to have travelled before settling down to marriage.Don't take life so seriously and make the most of your lives.

What would you like to share about the last 40 years?

I left school and went to work with my then boyfriend Kerry Poynton who I went on to marry just after my 18th birthday, we have been married almost 37 years...who said we would not last...lol. We went on to have two wonderful kids Hayley in 1981 and Brian in 1985, Hayley is married and living in Penguin and have given us two gorgeous granddaughter to spoil. Brian has just moved back to Ulverstone with his partner and works as the spare parts manager at Motors in Burnie. 

Kerry and I have travelled a bit to N.Z., parts of Europe and twice to Koh Samui in Thailand. Kerry is now retired but guess I will have to plod on for a bit longer.We hope to do some more travelling over the next few years. All in all we have had a good life so far...bring on new adventures!!

What are you proudest of about your life? What have been your greatest achievements?

Family would have to be my greatest achievement, my kids have turned out to be lovely young productive adults. I am also proud of the progress I have made in my current career becoming one of the highest selling real estate agents in Ulverstone.

Any regrets?

Losing touch with old friends, I guess we all get wrapped up in our busy lives. Would have loved to have travelled more when I was younger and wish I'd had someone to give us financial advice so we could have retired together...would have been nice. Apart from that life has been pretty good after all it is what you make of it , so don't waste a day!