Lynda Eggerling has lived in and around Hervey Bay for fifty of her fifty-four years and has many great memories of times past. Born in 1969 at the Royal Women’s Hospital, she was adopted at six weeks of age by the best mum and dad a girl could have. She fondly remembers her mum as kind, patient, and generous, traits she aspired to emulate.
The family moved to Hervey Bay when Lynda was four and her father bought a convenience store in Torquay, next door to where Riccardos stands today.
Growing up behind the store in Campbell St, Lynda remembers a carefree childhood spent swimming, roller skating, and one of her favourite pastimes- jumping off the Torquay Jetty back when in Lynda’s words, kids were allowed to be kids.
Lynda says, “I didn’t realise that I was dyslexic until I finished school.
“My boss picked up on it and pointed this fact out to me. In my mind, this made sense as I would never test well. I knew the answers in my head but couldn’t translate them to paper.
“Dyslexia wasn’t a thing when I was a kid. The condition was often misunderstood, and children were often branded as lazy”.
Over the years Lynda has seen many changes to the region. The population has doubled and then tripled, and she has seen the expansion of the retail sector which has given more choice and created jobs for our kids.
Lynda's first job was at the age of sixteen working at Howard Bakery in the school holidays, it was also about the time that tragedy struck when Lynda lost two dear friends in a car accident. This life-altering experience became a catalyst for personal growth, shaping her resilience and determination.
Another job Lynda had was as a teaching assistant at Torbanlea Kindergarten a job she found fulfilling. She also worked in aged care for over a decade as a personal carer.
Sadly, Lynda’s mum passed away several years ago from dementia. This was a rough time for everyone. Having worked in aged care and with dementia patients, prepared Lynda for the journey ahead.
“We were lucky as we were able to talk about it. She knew the signs as her father had gone through the same thing.
“Mum was scared in case she started to forget people's names. I was able to reassure her that none of that mattered and that she was loved”.
Lynda’s first car was a much-loved two-door Honda Accord, affectionately named Possum, for no particular reason. This started a trend, and every car Lynda has owned has had a name.
Now, Lynda works for herself running a cleaning business, but Lynda and her husband also have a car detailing business, so they are both kept very busy.
In her leisure time, Lynda embraces a bit of escapism, participating in medieval reenactments and dressing up as a chimney sweep at the Mary Poppins Festival. Her husband has also found his niche in the medieval group and is the village, Bowyer who crafts the bows for archery.
Married for thirty-one years, Lynda describes her relationship with her husband Andrew as a partnership built on mutual understanding and support. She emphasizes the importance of giving one hundred percent to maintain a happy and healthy relationship. The pair have two adult sons and motherhood stands out as the highlight of Lynda’s life.
Christmas at Lynda's house is a warm and open affair, focusing on family, togetherness, and appreciation. The festivities are marked by an open invitation to those who need it, symbolising the true spirit of the season.
By Kim Parnell
From What’s On Fraser Coast
