We chat with Dr Shauna Watts and Dr Peter McGimpsey about life on the Central Coast, working together and juggling a family of six.
Can you share a little about your backgrounds and what brought you to the Central Coast?
PM: We met at medical school in Belfast back in 1994. After graduating, we both initially went down the surgical training route, but ultimately we changed course when we had our first two of four children. We each pursued careers in General Practice which we both remain passionate about.
SW: I have enjoyed teaching over the years and have been lucky enough to be employed by Queens University in Belfast and over the past few years Sydney University Medical School. Teaching keeps you very motivated to be up to date and on top of your continuous learning and it is so motivating being around young, enthusiastic students.
PM: 18 years ago Shauna was lucky to have trainers in her General Practice in the UK who also had a medical aesthetic business – we watched them navigate a few stormy seas and that was great learning for us. It wasn’t until we moved here and were really settled that first Shauna and then I pursued further training in aesthetics.
What do you most enjoy about living on the Central Coast?
PM: The Central Coast is a beautiful region, with stunning beaches, bush I am obsessed with boats, so plenty of water around keeps me happy.
SW: We have been lucky to meet some really incredible people and have wonderful friends here now. The Central Coast is mostly down to earth and friendly.
Working together as husband and wife must make life interesting at times! What are the best parts about working together at You by Dr Shauna Watts?
PM: We last worked together over 20 years ago when we were very young doctors so it’s been a long time coming, but it’s been great. We both have very similar approaches and thinking when it comes to our patients so that works well.
SW: We also have very different strengths in the business and we have tried to utilise that well. My favourite days at the clinic are when we are there together as we can bounce ideas off each other. The patients seem to love that, too.
Your family of six has a lot of hobbies! What are some of your shared interests?
PM: I’m a lifelong sailor and Shauna has indulged my hobby a lot.
SW: All of our children have been on boats since they were tiny babies. Peter is very modest, but he is an accomplished sailor and we have had some pretty amazing adventures over the years, some of them a little scary; it is Peter’s skill that has always kept us safe.
PM: All of our children have really different hobbies so we often have to divide and conquer to manage getting them to activities. We have two horses for one of our daughters who is horse obsessed; our other daughter is a passionate ballerina. Our eldest son is majorly into free diving and boating and the youngest loves soccer and basketball.
How do you unwind after a long day of work?
SW: We usually go home, gather up our three dogs (a Great Dane and two Havanese) and head to Avoca Beach which is a few minutes from our door.
PM: I often go off to visit my boat and enjoy a cup of coffee on the deck in peace!
What are your favourite destinations? What have you missed most during the pandemic?
SW: We absolutely love to travel. We travelled a lot even when the children were small and it felt like hard work – but I’m glad we did and have those memories.
PM: At this stage, a trip back to Ireland is long overdue. We miss our family and friends there and it has felt so far away with the pandemic. After that, I’d like to have a city break in Barcelona or Berlin.
SW: Our youngest kids are hoping we can do a trip to Disney World in Florida – maybe we can tie it in with a meet-up with family.
What places are on your bucket list, both here and abroad?
PM: My bucket list includes a circumnavigation – a sailing trip down the Panama Canal and rounding Cape Horn!
SW: That’s too scary for me. I do fancy exploring South America but I’d also like to explore WA and the NT as we haven’t been there yet. I’m pretty obsessed with animals and marine life so anything that lets me see animals in the wild makes me happy. AMP
Article sponsored by Medpro Finance. For more information on their range of flexible financing, contact ross.andrews@medprofinance.com.au or visit www.medprofinance.com.au
3 minutes with Dr Shauna Watts…
My perfect weekend is…
sun shining, not too hot, not too cold, a slow morning making the kids pancakes and then taking the dogs for a walk. Our eldest daughter visiting from her job away and our eldest son popping in and out from surfing and fishing. Maybe a trip to Lobster Beach in our small speedboat with a picnic in the afternoon with the younger kids. Then, in the evening, meeting with my girlfriends for a glass of wine and a chat, knowing my family are happy at home. Sunday – maybe a trip to Avoca Beach markets before mooching around the house, doing a few jobs and inviting the family for an evening meal before the older kids disperse back to their own lives. Then a bit of TV with the younger kids before getting ready for bed and the week ahead.
My favourite place to eat is…
Mr Wong’s Cantonese restaurant in Sydney. It’s oozing with atmosphere and awesome food. A nice excuse to get away from the Central Coast for a night in the city.
My favourite car is…
I think the answer to this question is ‘I want to go green’. I worry about the environment and the impact of climate change. I hate the thought of the volatile world my kids are going to inherit. My favourite car at this point is a modern electric car – currently unspecified (but I would still like it to be kind of cool).
My favourite place to travel is…
Yes, it’s corny, but Disney World in Florida with a week on Anna Maria Island on the Gulf Coast near Tampa. We used to travel there a lot from Ireland and I have made some amazing memories there with the kids growing up and my mum coming along with me – not to mention the 5-star luxury and unbeatable service. Go, Mickey!
My favourite way to let off steam is… This is such a boring answer but I just love having my family happy and around me, all getting on with each other, relaxed and chatty – maybe over a meal or something. It happens so rarely these days with a business to run, the older kids running their own lives and the younger kids having all their activities.
I reward myself by…
Travelling. Pre-COVID, planning trips was a bit of a hobby. We’ve done most of Europe, the US, Canada, the Caribbean, some of Africa, Hawaii, some of the Pacific Islands and of course Australia. Hopefully, once the world gets back to normal I can start planning again. I’m so lucky Australia is such a great country with lots to see and great weather and people.
If I had more time I would…
get involved with animal rescue organisations. I love caring for animals and could see myself happily looking after a house full of rescue dogs and cats. I hope that doesn’t make me sound like a crazy cat lady!
I’m most proud of…
our four children who are kind, caring and real humanitarians.
If I wasn’t a doctor I would be…
a vet or have an animal rescue shelter.
On Medpro Finance
‘Medpro Finance have been fundamental in allowing us to realise our dream of having a beautiful, built- for-purpose clinic on the Central Coast.
‘We have been working with Medpro for just over one year. Ross, Natasha and Hannah have been so helpful, facilitating meetings in the evenings and generally making sure that financing a big project like this was as seamless as possible and not further impacting on our busy lives.
‘Medpro Finance clearly understand the hours most doctors work and also understand that traditional banks can be reluctant to fund fitouts, etc. As we expand and grow, we will continue to have an ongoing relationship with them because great relationships are at the heart of everything we do, so why would we go elsewhere?
