BAYSNEWS: This month we are talking to Penny Gleen, (AKA: Fairy Queen)
Penny, for those who do not know you, can you tell us a bit about yourself?
PENNY: I grew up at Clareville and have always been a northern beaches person. I went to school at Avalon and Barrenjoey and then did a double major in Inorganic and Physical Chemistry. I worked for many years in the medical industry, first in research, then production and finally operational management of a multinational diagnostic company. This was one of those crazy jobs, with phone links at midnight, and never being home, as well as far too much stress. One day I quit. (OK, it was not quite like that, but not far off, just ask my gorgeous husband Simon and the builders that we were working with!) Simon and I bought the ferry service not long after that.
BAYSNEWS: You obviously love Pittwater.What brought you to this part of the world?
PENNY:We were renting a gorgeous little cottage at Palm Beach, and the owner put it on the market. Simon talked me into seeing a water access only place (I decided it was quicker to go than have a big fight) and it was pretty much love at first sight. We left for a friend’s wedding in Malaysia and a trip to Borneo the next day, so bought it having only seen it once……
BAYSNEWS:What is your idea of perfect happiness?
PENNY: Sitting on the my (ex) deck having a glass of wine or a cup of tea on a perfect afternoon with a couple of friends.
BAYSNEWS: What is your greatest fear?
PENNY: Something happening to my children.
BAYSNEWS: What is the trait you most dislike in yourself?
PENNY: I can be quite impatient.
BAYSNEWS: What is the trait you most dislike in others?
PENNY: I dislike dishonesty and unempathetic people.
BAYSNEWS: Which person (living or deceased) do you most admire, and why?
PENNY: There are lot. I think Florence Nightingale was wise without necessarily being well educated, and she must have had a lot of back bone to succeed in what she did. I admire Richard Feynman, who is a theoretical physicist. (His book is a great read. His attitude to life has absolutely no flummery.) I admire anyone who stands up for what they believe in, and those that are kind and thoughtful (Marcus and Angela spring to mind)
BAYSNEWS: What is your greatest achievement?
PENNY: I do not think I have one greatest achievement. Every achievement however small is built on the back of trial and error, of learning and experience and maybe a little bit of wisdom. I would prefer to be remembered with love for a thousand small things than as an outstanding success in any one thing.
BAYSNEWS: What is your greatest regret?
PENNY: Ohhhh that goes back a bit. I used to be an Ice Dancer, and I gave up to concentrate on my studies in Yr12. About 5 weeks after that, we got an invitation to go to Junior Worlds. Always wonder about that one…
BAYSNEWS: Which talent would you most like to have?
PENNY: I’m not sure if it’s a talent, but I would love to be able to edit what comes out of my mouth before it is heard by others. I would also like to be one of those special people who can make you feel like there is nothing they would rather be doing than talking to you. I may feel like that, but I don’t think I can show it.
BAYSNEWS: What is your motto?
PENNY:
I don’t want to adult anymore. I don’t even want to human, I want to be a goat. Jump around randomly. Eat what I want. Head butt anyone that annoys me.
BAYSNEWS:If you could improve life in the Bays, what would you do/change?
PENNY:
- 24Hr water taxi service
- More parking!!!
- And more love. I miss the offshore life so very much, and I hope that everyone realizes how lucky they are to live there, and that they share their love with others, both residents and visitors.
Note: This Q&A was adapted from Antionette Faure’s 1886 questionnaire. It was made famous by its first contributor, Marcel Proust, and is now known as the Proust Questionnaire. Of course.