Sally Sanderson (Cole, 1989)

Since graduating from Penrhos College in 1989, Sally Sanderson has had a remarkable and rewarding journey. After earning a Bachelor of Science in Podiatry from Curtin University, Sally embarked on what has become a 30-year career as a dedicated podiatrist.

When Sally tells people about her profession, she often hears the same response: “I could never do that, how do you possibly do it?” She’s heard countless variations of this sentiment over the years and typically responds with a perspective that reflects her deep passion: “Isn’t it wonderful that we’re all so different? We each choose careers that suit who we are.”

Sally in her little Podiatry treatment room in the Delmoor Community Centre in Moora, and working on her dad's feet at work

Moving to the Wheatbelt

Sally always imagined she would establish a private practice after university, and while she achieved that goal, she never anticipated the rural life that would follow. In 1996, Sally married a farmer, Ash (whom she calls an absolute keeper), and moved to their farm, “Ambleside,” in Kalanne, Dalwallinu.

Together, they raised three children. Their eldest, Olly, is now 25 and works as a lawyer, while their second son, Zac, 22, puts his agribusiness degree to use by working on the farm—when he isn’t busy with footy or snowboarding.

Their youngest, Ruby, is a Year 11 boarder at Penrhos College, excelling in dance and other talents.

Sally's family

When Sally moved to a remote area, finding consistent work to sustain her podiatry career proved challenging. However, she inherited some existing podiatry services and gradually built her practice from there. At the height of her ambition, Sally's business was providing care to 22 towns across the Wheatbelt.

Over the years, she employed 14 podiatrists, all of whom fondly recall their time working in the Wheatbelt—except for one, who preferred the city lifestyle.

Sally as a Boarding parent

When Sally’s kids started boarding school in 2012, she became a Kalannie to Perth “yo yo.” To manage the demands of her growing family, Sally decided to scale back her business, entrusting half of her practice to a trusted colleague who continues to run it in the Eastern Wheatbelt. By that time, Sally had spent 15 years traveling the region, gaining deep professional, personal and geographical insight into Wheatbelt life.

Before her children started school, Sally's mum often accompanied her on work trips, with all three kids in tow. They would attend daycare or play in her waiting rooms, turning these journeys into wonderful adventures and making many Wheatbelt friends along the way.

Sally's life in the country, with husband Ash

As Sally continued her family and work life, facing countless challenges of rural and remote health service delivery, a passion for advocacy for rural and remote residents arose in her. Sally went on to complete a post-graduate diploma in rural and remote health at the University of Queensland to help her conceptualise and deepen her understanding of equitable access to healthcare. 

With academia reignited, Sally also went on to complete her Masters of Podiatric Medicine. The topic of her 2016 dissertation was “telepodiatry” and attempted to raise awareness that reviews, advice and assessments were possible via telehealth. It was like Sally had a premonition that COVID19 was coming! 

All SJOG Podiatrists on a group continuing education day

The pandemic nearly ended Sally’s business, as she relied on Health Department facilities in country towns, which she was not able to visit. However, Sally was able to apply her telepodiatry research to keep in touch with her patients and accessed federal government support to keep her staff and services going. 

While Sally’s private practice was on hold due to COVID19, she took a Podiatry role at St John of God Mt Lawley to keep her income going and learn a bit more about urban health.

Ruby Sanderson (black dress) and friends at the 2024 Dinner Dance and with friend Allie (2024 Year 12 Boarder)

As Sally’s daughter Ruby continues her journey at Penrhos, Sally has stayed in her role in Perth to provide support during these important years. In 2025, Sally and Ash will reach the end of their 14-year journey as boarding school parents—a shared experience among many of Sally’s rural and remote friends. Together, they have navigated the challenges and joys of balancing life between the country and the city.

Sally’s new niche

Sally’s career has continued to progress as she has now developed a niche interest in High-Risk Foot Management. She currently works at Hollywood Consulting Centre with a vascular surgeon, where they aim to prevent foot and limb amputations. 

In addition to her clinical work, Sally lectures on High-Risk Foot Management at UWA, sharing her expertise with the next generation of podiatrists. In 2017, she also had the privilege of volunteering as a podiatrist in Northeast Arnhem Land, an experience she found both rewarding and eye-opening, enriching her personal and professional perspective.

Sally at the Hollywood Consulting Centre

Sally on ‘Friendships’ and ‘Culture’ at Penrhos

Having Ruby back at Penrhos makes Sally look back at how Penrhos shaped her early interest in Podiatry. Sally’s favourite teacher was Mrs Vicki Sunderland. “She was truly wonderful, she believed in me and I am sure that she was the reason I did well in Human Biology,” Sally says. She also loved Mrs Joan Carmaletta who was the reason that Sally excelled in English Literature. Sally truly believes that those two teachers changed her life. 

Sally mentions being a person who is interested in many things, but those two teachers engaged her in the classroom (which was, quite frankly, a challenge) and it had a great influence on her future. 

Sally with friends who are also Penrhos alumni

Sally also fondly remembers Mrs Glisenta, who was fantastic at teaching Maths, even though it was never her strong suit, and Mr Parry, a "classic" when it came to Economics. His lessons on practical concepts must have left an impression, as Sally continues to run a successful small business today.

While academics weren't her primary focus, sport was a big part of Sally’s school life, making the Phys Ed department especially important to her. Her social life was equally high on her list of priorities, though she’s not sure her teachers were too pleased about that at times. 😉

Sally Sanderson and Hayley Lawrence at the Ascot Races

Sally made some phenomenal close friends from Penrhos that she still sees regularly. Ruby has made beautiful friends at Penrhos too and they have come up to visit the family farm. They also visit Sally’s townhouse where she loves to sit and chat to them and forget that she is not 17. Sally cherishes the friendships that both she and Ruby have gained from their time at Penrhos. 

Sally sums up what she has learnt in her life so far, with this: “Through working with people for three decades, recently completing an Honours degree in Psychology and probably just my personality, I truly believe that our relationships, how we feel in them and how we make our loved ones feel, is key to living our best life. It’s not rocket science and it’s rarely easy but the rest of life happens more smoothly, when we reserve energy and care, for our people.”

Sally feels her parents raised her this way, as well as making many sacrifices to send her to Penrhos, back in the 80s.

Sally and her sister, Melanie Cusack (Class of 1982) at Sally's farm

Overall, Sally is so nostalgic and grateful to see Ruby moving towards the wonderful Penrhos Year 12 journey and feels that her and Ash supporting Ruby to attend Penrhos has been a great decision. She hopes that Ruby can offer the same for her daughter one day too.