LiLYN

Born in New Zealand, Lyn moved to Australia in 1982 with her mother and father. A short, difficult time living in Grenfell NSW, was followed by the move to Parkes in 1983, the town she still calls home. Lyn attended Parkes High School where she discovered a love of music. Lyn considered working toward studying at the Conservatorium of Music after finishing year 12, however, her parents were strongly advised by the careers advisor that she should take a job at the local pharmacy, stating "she's not smart enough to go to university". In 1989 Lyn married and in 1993 her first child Jacob came along, followed by Katie in 1995, and Gracie in 2000. Through these years Lyn managed her own business as a dressmaker, having been taught the skill by her mother from a young age. After playing an urchin in a production of Oliver in 1984, Lyn was introduced to the world of theatre. Not a particularly good singer, she was always cast in the ensemble or band. But still her love for theatre grew. In 2001 she wrote a one-act play, entering it in a festival competition. The play won two awards, spurring her on to write her first full jukebox musical "La Mysticalle" in 2003, which played to packed houses, and kickstarted a new passion, directing. Over the next 19 years, Lyn directed many well-known musicals, winning multiple CAT awards in various sections, including the coveted Gold Cat in 2009. In 2010, at the age of 42, Lyn commenced university studies and in 2017, she graduated with a double degree in accounting and HR management, proving you should never take the word of a careers advisor! Lyn’s day job is managing a community transport service, a position she enjoys and feels privileged to hold. But her true love is theatre. 2023 has so far proved the pinnacle of Lyn’s writing career, writing and producing the musical "Cracks in the Mirror" with good friend Gail Smith. The pair have formed the Production company T&S Productions and intend to continue writing musicals and songs when their current jobs and life permits. More recently Lyn decided to dabble in a little blogging, in her spare time…

Hills, Seals, Snow and Stuff!

2 Comments / In my Shadow, My Blogs / LiLYN

HILLS, SEALS, SNOW AND STUFF October 1st, 2014 – Day Three At the age of eight, I was the perfect child. I never argued with my mother, I never got into any trouble and life seemed trouble free. Until the day when five jam drop biscuits went missing. Yes, exactly five. Biscuits in our house […]

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Smile for us

1 Comment / In my Shadow, My Blogs / LiLYN

SMILE FOR US September 30th 2014 – Day Two Fifty (and a little bit) years ago my brother and I lived in Christchurch for a few short years. We moved to Blenheim when I was still very young, but we visited family in Christchurch often. While understandably those young years are hazy, I still have

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Taking mum home

4 Comments / In my Shadow, My Blogs / LiLYN

In my Shadow Nine years ago, my father, brother, youngest daughter and I, made the pilgrimage to New Zealand with two urns of ashes firmly stowed in our backpacks, fulfilling my mother’s wishes of taking her home to New Zealand. In the ten days that we were there, we revisited all the places that hold

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