Lyn was born on 19 December 1941 to Effie and Milton McIntyre. They lived at 123 Scott Parade. She attended St Alipius Primary School and Sacred Heart College.  That is the only time I will call her Lyn because she never let us – it was always Mum!

Her first job was at 'Paterson's Furniture Store and Floor Coverings' in Sturt Street. She would ride her bike or catch a tram to work.

Mum and Noelene competed in Scottish dancing and were quite successful. They were also members of the Ballarat Callisthenic College team and competed in the South Street competitions.

Mum met John at a dance in Ballarat East and after that they started going out together in 1957/58 driving around in John’s little 1950 Ford Prefect. They were married at St Alipius Church on Easter Monday, 23 April 1962, by Rev. Father Brendan Davey. Their reception was held at Lester House in Sturt Street. After a honeymoon in Adelaide they returned and had rooms at 99 Victoria Street, which is now the Victoria Street Shopping Centre. Mum worked at the newly opened RACV branch on the corner of Sturt and Doveton Streets. Dad worked as a postie.

In February 1963, their first child Mary was stillborn – it was a very sad time. Soon afterwards they moved to a house in Water Street. Then another child came along which was me, Pauline and I was born on 30 April 1964. On 16 November 1966, Stephen was born and passed away on Christmas day that year at the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne – another sad time. Tony was born on 16 May 1968 and because of lack of room our family moved to Daylesford Road (which is now part of the Western Highway bypass). Their last child Chris arrived on 5 May 1975.  Many happy times and wonderful childhood memories of big birthday parties and Christmas celebrations and, of course, Mum always had the camera out!

In 1981 progress caused the family to move to Canterbury Street where they have lived ever since. Chris and Tony both attended St Alipius girls and boys school and then St Paul’s/Damascus College.  I attended St Alipius and then Sacred Heart College.

Mum played tennis with the St Alipius Tennis Club.  During this time she assisted with the Planned Giving Parish Campaign and was Parish Recorder for 28 years and Parish Secretary for a number of years. Until recently she was still involved in the Planned Giving Campaign assembling and sending out envelopes.

Pauline James, Lyn's daughter

First published in Edition 10 of the Brown Hill Community Newsletter.

Lyn O'Brien. Image supplied by Lyn's family.