Dr Sally Shaw The Wellness Manor Interview

Dr Sally Shaw The Wellness Manor Interview

Since recently opening their doors within one of Mornington's oldest and most historically significant buildings, The Wellness Manor has seen a transformational experience for guests, fusing traditional relaxation and spa treatments, mindfulness and medical knowledge to bring about a new approach to optimum health and wellbeing.

The space embraces the building's old world charm while delivering some of Australia's most cutting edge technologies, clearly showcasing the many considered modern comforts and stylish additions that provide guests with a heightened experience each time they visit.

The mind behind The Wellness Manor, well-known skin specialist Dr Sally Shaw, believes the establishment of the space and the fusion of old and new reflects her own discovery and ongoing path to achieve a sense of wellness, saying the offering will continue to evolve and grow just like those who visit.

'When I set out to create The Wellness Manor I did so knowing that there is so much unknown in this space," said Dr Shaw. 'To me, wellness is so much more than a quick treatment and a healthy diet. It is an in depth experience of self reflection and self care - a state of mind and a positive experience that changes according to the feelings and happenings in your daily life at the time."

Dr Shaw continued, 'The Wellness Manor is a welcoming and approachable space with zero judgement and 100% care. It is a place where people are invited to sink into the warmth of our relaxation spas or detox box prior to treatments, and sit within the tranquil garden space under a warm blanket with a tea or some of the regions best wine while they enjoy the blissful state of relaxation post treatment before returning to the speed of life. Approachable, comforting and blissful. That's our aim."

Located moments from Mornington's tranquil and sought-after shoreline, The Wellness Manor provides world class facial and medical treatments, colonic irrigation, massage and body treatments, beauty and grooming appointments and retreat and reconnect packages to help guests rejuvenate and revive.

The Wellness Manor also delivers class leading medical treatments facilitated by medical professionals on site, using medical grade Laser, Injectables, Hydra facial and Infinity Radiofrequency equipment as well as new technologies such as Coolsculpt, which works to reduce fatty tissue at key locations on the body.

A percentage of every visit to The Wellness Manor is donated to provide assistance to the locals of Elcho Island, a small community of 3000 aboriginals off the coast of Northern Territory, to help fund research into improving the quality of life and mortality rates of this struggling community.

The Wellness Manor is located at 1 Ross Street Mornington. For more information or to view The Wellness Manor's offerings and packages, visit www.thewellnessmanor.com.au.

Interview with Dr Sally Shaw

Question: What is The Wellness Manor?

Dr Sally Shaw: The Wellness Manor is a space dedicated to bringing optimum wellness into the lives of all those who visit. It is a place where people can come and just be for a few hours. To enjoy a relaxing treatment within a warming and tranquil environment.

Question: What inspired the concept of The Wellness Manor?

Dr Sally Shaw: As a Doctor I see people every day that need treatment or care. They come to me for help and I can see for so many of them that they have not justified taking the time to simply look after their own wellbeing. The Wellness Manor fuses years of medical experience with the insights and knowledge of our team of therapists to bring something truly unique to visitors. We have the latest technologies and the most sublime spa treatment facilities - set within one of Mornington Peninsula's oldest and most beautiful estates.


Question: What services are offered at The Wellness Manor?

Dr Sally Shaw: The Wellness Manor provides facial and medical treatments, colonic irrigation, massage and body treatments, beauty and grooming appointments - and retreat and reconnect packages - to help guests rejuvenate and revive. We also deliver class leading medical treatments facilitated by medical professionals on site, using medical grade Laser, Injectables, Hydra facial and Infinity Radiofrequency equipment as well as new technologies such as Coolsculpt, which works to reduce fatty tissue at key locations on the body.


Question: Why did you choose to open in Victoria's Mornington Peninsula?

Dr Sally Shaw: I have lived on the Mornington Peninsula for many years and it is one of the most beautiful places in Australia. It seemed the right setting to help people reconnect with themselves and start their own journey towards optimum wellness.


Question: What is wellness, to you?

Dr Sally Shaw: It is something to strive for. Something to help you live your best life. Everyone deserves that, and hopefully The Wellness Manor helps people along their way.


Question: How does The Wellness Manor aid in helping individuals achieve a sense of wellness?
Dr Sally Shaw: The approach of The Wellness Manor is quite different and unique - advocating the four pillars of health: Nutrition, Exercise, Detox and Skin Health. Our holistic therapists provide Day Spa Retreats, Detox programs, Medical Skin Therapies and essential spa treatments to rejuvenate and revive, however do so with a focus on mindfulness and pure relaxation which is just so good for you. Each visit, we invite our guests to relax within our dedicated spa pools and detox box before undergoing their individual treatment. This is then followed by blissful retreat into our harem style mindfulness space, where they sink into a luxurious sheep skin covered day bed while being served with delicious cold pressed juices, herbal tea, activated nuts or some of Mornington Peninsula's finest wine, all a part of the experience.


Question: How important is a healthy diet to achieving wellness?

Dr Sally Shaw: It is incredibly important. Being hydrated and fuelling yourself with the right nutrition is one of the most important and positive steps you can take towards your own health and wellness. As I mentioned, it is part of the four pillars of health that we so fundamentally advocate here at The Wellness Manor for good health - Nutrition, Exercise, Detox and Skin Health.


Question: Can you talk us through how The Wellness Manor supports Elcho Island?

Dr Sally Shaw: Elcho Island is found just off the Australian coast of the Northern Territory and is the home of approximately 3000 aboriginals. This community is silently suffering. The Island is dangerously overcrowded and incredibly under-resourced. Everyday the community is faced with medical challenges - which is why the typical island resident has a life expectancy of only 48 years if lucky, with only 7% managing to exceed 50 years of age. To assist this struggling community, The Wellness Manor donates 5% of profits to fund research to help improve the mortality rate and quality of life on the Island. It is something very close to our hearts.


Interview by Brooke Hunter