Hi – I’m Jenny Vernon. It is lovely to be asked to share some words with Eastern suburbs Mums. I am a Mum to Jessica, and married to Rick and after my priorities of spending time with family, friends and work – I find there is nothing more satisfying than volunteering at my favourite charity Dress For Success.
I first became aware of this organisation dedicated to helping “empower women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire and the development tools to help women thrive in work and in life” through becoming a regular customer at their now famous Bubbles and Bargains events – quarterly giant fashion sales of pre-loved clothing held in Sydney Boys High in Moore Park; and after the thrill of bagging beautiful clothing at bargain prices, (with all the proceeds going to support women being empowered back into the workforce) I felt compelled to offer my services to this amazing group of committed and passionate workers.
I am so proud and satisfied in now contributing on the fundraising team, working at sale events, and being a donation point at my home in North Bondi for all of the clothing Dress for Success needs for its client styling program, with the surplus going to fundraising fashion sales. I have met many generous and lovely Eastern suburbs women who have taken the time to offer their wardrobe items to DFS- with the donations DFS receives being put to good use immediately – a big thankyou to all of your kind readers that demonstrate that amazing things happen when women help other women!
Where and how long have you lived in Sydney’s east?
I’m a proud North Bondi local – we have been lucky enough to call the same street home for 25 years
Three words that describe what it’s like to live in the eastern suburbs?
Vibrant, inspiring and entertaining
How many Children?
One beautiful 19 year old girl
Favourite Park?
Biddigal reserve (near Bondi Beach)-some good things never change- it’s beautiful to play, sit, and picnic in with the bonus of a beautiful beach view
Favourite Beach?
Bondi of course!
Favourite kid friendly café?
Depot at Bondi- whether your kid is 9 months or 19..it has a great friendly vibe
Favourite coffee spot?
A quick take-away coffee from Shuk is the best way to start my day
Favourite date-night place?
Raw Bar Japanese – the Bento boxes have perfect morsels of all the Japanese favourites
Where in the East have you yet to explore and would like to go?
I have young nieces in Little-Bay, and I plan to spend more time exploring Little Bay and La Perouse with them – it’s a beautiful, but quiet corner of the East that has a lot to offer families and children
What would you like to see improve in the eastern suburbs?
More support and attention for complex community issues, and the charities helping to address these.
Favourite local shop?
I have to nominate a stunning fashion consignment store in Clovelly – What We Wore on Clovelly Road. Besides having a great range of pre-loved designer clothes, it is a great supporter of Dress for Success, and small businesses who give back to the community always deserve my business!
Favourite wet weather location?
Entertainment Quarter in Moore Park – movies, Mexican and the markets
Favourite local family weekend activity?
It has to be our regular long walk through Dover Heights and Rose Bay – coupled with a café stop, lunch and shopping – perfection!
Work or SAHM?
I consider myself lucky to have had an opportunity to experience the joys of both..after years of working in corporate retail positions, I had 6 years of staying at home to spent precious time with Jess. I now have moved into co-owning a shopfitting business- Rax and Dollies which supplies the fashion and visual display industry. I enjoy the flexibility this gave me with a child at school, and now this extends to being able to carve- out time during the week to dedicate to volunteering at Dress for Success- it’s truly the best of both worlds
Motherly advice?
Enjoy every second of being a Mum – it’s a gift
