Cassandra Tomkinson

When Cassandra Tomkinson wanted to study French at Timaru Girls' High School, her mother wondered when she would ever need it. Years later, working with Dior beauty products, Cassandra found herself dealing with French-language packaging and product information. She had good reason to remember that conversation.

Cassandra started third form at TGHS in 1991. She lived in Maltby Avenue and cycled to school, where she made friends, sang the traditional school songs at assembly and got to know girls who lived in the hostel. She also remembers the different personalities of her teachers.

Home economics was a favourite subject. She particularly enjoyed baking, decorating Christmas cakes and learning how to present food. Her interest in cooking continued after she left school.

In 1994, aged 16, Cassandra left TGHS to study tourism and hospitality at polytechnic. She went on to work in Timaru restaurants, both in the kitchen and front of house. She describes herself as a cook rather than a chef and remembers learning from Lindsay Bennett, a tutor with a military background.

In 2000, Cassandra moved to Australia. Her work took her into retail, pharmacy and the beauty industry, including management, day-spa services, cosmetics and makeovers.

Over the years, she worked with several well-known beauty brands. Alongside Dior, she managed an Elizabeth Arden counter at Ballantynes Department Store. From March to October 2020, she worked as a Virtual Beauty Concierge for Thin Lizzy Beauty.

Much of Cassandra's working life has involved dealing directly with people, whether serving customers in restaurants, managing beauty counters or helping someone choose skincare products.

Cassandra later began volunteering with Look Good Feel Better, a charitable organisation that has supported people affected by cancer in New Zealand since 1991.

Cancer treatment can change a person's appearance, including their skin and hair. For someone already dealing with illness, these changes can be difficult. Look Good Feel Better offers free practical support, including skincare and make-up workshops, advice about changes in appearance and opportunities to meet others going through similar experiences.

Cassandra's volunteering eventually led to paid employment. She now works as a tutor with Cancer Support New Zealand, the name adopted by the organisation in May 2026 as its services expanded beyond the original Look Good Feel Better programme.

Her years in the beauty industry provided practical knowledge of skincare and cosmetics, while working in hospitality and retail gave her experience with people from all walks of life. Today, she brings that knowledge and experience to her work supporting people affected by cancer.

Cassandra is also mum to Arlo. Since leaving TGHS, she has lived and worked on both sides of the Tasman, raised a family and followed a career that has taken several changes in direction.

What began as volunteering is now her profession. Cassandra is still drawing on the skills she developed in the beauty industry, although her working day looks rather different from her years behind a department-store beauty counter.