Lyn Ghys

I remember my two years of Fort St. with mixed feelings. Much of it I really loved – being sited where it was on the edge of the Bridge and the city and catching the ferry home. I loved Miss Acason – she was a great teacher. On the negative side are some memories of being too big – I think I was taller than all the girls and many of the boys.

My social skills were a mixed bag I think – confident in some areas, I did like boys for their straightforwardness. Girls were trickier. It was also good to get into North Sydney Girls High for years 1 and 2. We moved back to Melbourne where I got into MacRobertson Girls High School, a selected intake school, with classes for Years 9-12. I loved it – especially Art. My parents pulled me out of school at the end of year 10 – not a good move. I worked in clerical and reception areas for 2 years. Then I went back to study and learned how to do a ‘business course year’ at RMIT, becoming a secretary/receptionist at medical centres.

During those years I met my husband Keith, when we were both 16. He worked in the newly opened ABC Television Station. We married at 21, and had 3 children– Amanda, Jane and Tom. When Tom was 3, I became a student again, doing Yr. 12 English, English Literature, Art and Classical Civilisation, over 2 years. I loved it.

As so many Aussies did back in the 70s, we all traveled in Europe in a campervan for 6 months, including 6 weeks when Keith had 6 weeks with the BBC. The following year I began my B.Ed, Art and Craft, as a fulltime student for 4 years.

I then taught Art full time at University High School, for the next 16 years, also becoming the Careers Teacher for much of that time. In 1992 I left teaching, and have worked as an artist since then. Our 3 children were all good students, getting into selected intake schools, and all completed tertiary courses (Commerce and Law areas), living and working for periods in the UK and USA.

Keith has now retired from Network Ten (where he worked for the previous 25 years). We have recently returned from 2 months in Europe, 2 weeks in the Dordogne, 2 weeks in England and 2 weeks on the Imalfi Coast, in Italy. Very lucky.

The next generation is blooming – we now have 5 grandchildren and 1 more to come, (2 from each family). I don’t seem to have enough time to get stuck into my painting this year – too many interruptions! And it looks as if the booming art market is slowing down – I’m lucky to sell one painting a year! However I’ve had some success in past years, with two solo exhibitions.

I was very surprised to hear from Sarah – it was so out of the blue!. I will be in Sydney once or twice each year (visiting our Sydney family) I’m really looking forward to March – thank you to those who have been behind all this.
Lyn Ferguson (nee Ghys).

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