Beverley Pinder
The richness of life
Q: Can you share a few memories of your journey from winning the Miss Universe Australia title in 1978 to becoming a public relations (PR) professional and City of Melbourne councillor?
A: I had several job offers upon returning from the Acapulco Miss Universe final – from disc jockey to sales and ambassadorial gigs, to hotel PR. As I was gainfully employed as a public servant at the Department of Immigration, I continued working there until the right job offer came along.
And it did!
While assisting in a fundraising campaign for the Maroondah Hospital, I met the owner of Professional Public Relations and therein lay the biggest decision I had to make: to resign from public service and take on a job in PR that I knew nothing about.
I took a giant leap… and haven’t looked back.
With the City of Melbourne, civic duty had been in my sights since I was 13 when I met a councillor at the City of St Kilda council – a generous and kind man who treated my brothers well. As new teenage migrants, we were exposed to the qualities of a great local government politician.
My words to him were: “One day, I want to be like you…”
There weren’t too many challenges as I looked at everything that came my way as being an opportunity.
Q: In your autobiography Pride without Prejudice, you mention experiencing domestic turmoil while growing up. How did those early experiences influence your later pursuits in life?
A: They taught me to never give up. Never give in to men abusing you. And never ever settle for anything that brings you down.
From as young as two years old, I knew that my life was going to be different someday. So I worked hard with long hours spent visualising the life I wanted.
My role model was a rich aunty who was everything I wanted to be – elegant, precise and above all, a great connector. Tazma Lappen (my mother’s sister) showered me with everything that children desired in their early years – such as movies, parties, friendships and great food.
Q: You’ve engaged with celebrities and captains of industry. Could you share some lessons learned from these engagements?
A: Learn as much as you can from all and sundry – not only captains of industry but everyone you meet along the way.
This has been my mantra – from 12 to 112, you can learn and absorb. But you need to be willing and open-minded. So develop your intuition as this becomes your guiding star – and never hold back on your desire to succeed.
Garner support from those who desire to be your champions, choose role models wisely and seek mentors. Nurture relationships without looking to gain something for yourself – make every encounter a memorable one for the next person.
Q: How has the philosophy of ‘communitarianism’ influenced your approach to both your professional and personal life?
A: I give till it hurts… and then give some more – and I track my community for those who need help or a little nudge.
It doesn’t always have to be about money; take pride and joy in the giving. The gift of time is sometimes more important than money.
Q: And how have your Sri Lankan roots influenced how you view ‘the journey of life’?
A: To be different is a gift; it is something to behold. Take pride and revel in that difference. Stray from that which you know so well because unfamiliar territory is sometimes where the biggest challenges lie – and therein, you will find the richness of life.
Never be ashamed of your upbringing; your parents did the best they could with what they had. Instead, set out to make them proud. To be brought up with very little offers insights to the vulnerable and poor.
Q: In what ways do you stay connected to your Sri Lankan roots?
A: I have an extensive network of friends from the many facets of my life from high school to dance, modelling to karate; beauty competitions to business; and civic duty to charity.
You could say that I’ve had a complete life with not much more to do but learn and help others.
I help where I can, which included the aftermath of the tsunami: my school St Lawrence’s Convent’s past pupils; and my three close friends from primary school – Sally Grero (Machado), Sharron Paulse (Neydorff) and Marina de Niese (Fredericks); and the Victor Melder Sri Lanka Library.
The gift of time is sometimes more important than money
CV IN A NUTSHELL
Beverley Pinder OAM has worn many hats since 1968 when she arrived in Australia as a shy 13-year-old immigrant from Sri Lanka. A former Miss Universe Australia and charity fundraiser, and the head of her own public relations firm, she also served two terms as a Councillor for the City of Melbourne.
Pinder’s autobiography Pride without Prejudice was released last October in Melbourne.
Her inspiring life has included supporting various charities including the Father Bob Maguire Foundation, and working alongside Dame Phyllis Frost, Susan Barton and the late Father Bob Maguire.
Pinder’s passion is to help people in need with her most recent achievement being Turning Hope Into Action – a charity for people who face homelessness.
Her radio segment (Pinder’s Ponderings) is aired on Victoria’s 88.3 Southern FM every Thursday morning.
FACT FILE
FAMILY
Husband – Russell Mortimer
Stepchildren – Jake and Andre
SCHOOLING
Primary school in Ceylon as it was at the time
High school in Melbourne
PRESENT OCCUPATION
Semi-retired philanthropist, mentor and author
AWARDS AND ACCOLADES
Junior Miss Victoria (ages 14-16) – 1970
Moomba Princess – 1972
Miss Waverley Queen of Arts – 1972
Miss Springvale – 1972
Miss Victorian Beach Girl – 1977
Miss Universe Australia – 1978
Order of Australia (OAM) – January 2023 (for her involvement in a range of charitable organisations)
COUNTRY OF RESIDENCE
Australia
CITY OF RESIDENCE
Melbourne