About

KRYSTYNA CROFT is the ongoing President of the GPA. Elected in 2019, Krystyna has had nearly 30 years’ association with Glenlyon. She values Glenlyon’s history and environment and relishes being active in the community, for example as a community representative in the development of the Council’s Glenlyon Structure Plan. She lives in the nineteenth century cottage in Barkly Street that used to be the cobbler’s residence. Krystyna’s background is in law. She has broad experience as a member of various Boards. Her knowledge and lived experience of disability in her family resulted in her advocacy for people with disabilities since the inception of the NDIS, so Krystyna is strong on inclusion.

Krystyna said, “I am optimistic that the energy, skills and talents of the new committee will revitalise the GPA and lead to greater community participation in its events and activities.”

RYAN KENNEDY is the new Vice President of the GPA. He has been a resident of Glenlyon since 2013. “It was the beauty of the landscapes, both natural and pastoral along with the opportunity to find a sense of community / solitude that called me our hamlet,” he said. Ryan led the community creation of the art work on the Glenlyon Hall forecourt.

He is a practising artist and school crossing guard with many years of hospitality and events under his belt. As a creative he has worked in schools educating, and in consultation with community groups, while developing and delivering numerous large productions.

“It is with optimism that I bring my skills and creative thinking to this committee, our GPA members and especially the community.

It is an opportunity for a renewed sense of community that sees us working with and for everyone in the area. I look to enhance our sense of communal ownership and participation to better serve the purpose of the Association and Glenlyon’s cultural legacy.”

CHARLES PREBEG is our new treasurer. He has been a general Committee member since 2020 with responsibility for Hall hire.

When Charles and wife darinka first visited Glenlyon they walked past the Hall and were greeted by local community members, and asked to join in to some afternoon tea and conversation.

“I was really impressed with the welcome and friendliness they showed us,” said Charles. He and Darinka retired and made the tree change to Glenlyon five years ago after living in greenvale for 37 years.

Charles enjoys cooking and water colour painting. He and Darinka have catered for Dinner on the Deck. Charles is on the Daylesford men’s Shed Committee and also caters for their weekly lunches.

MARGRET LOCKWOOD is the new secretary, returning to serve on the CoM after an absence of four years. She brings much administrative experience. “I intend to stay for 12 months only, to assist with the transition of the new committee,” she said.

Margret turned to volunteering after 30 years of teaching teenagers, in rural Victoria, the Northern Territory and in Saudi Arabia.

“Volunteering means more to me than joining an organisation, attending meetings, or merely financial membership. I’ve defended my community and environment as a firefighter with the Glenlyon Brigade. I enjoy the physical work of Landcare working bees and am very proud of the walking trail in the Biolink; of how it has been transformed from impenetrable blackberry and gorse, to a place that locals and visitors alike enjoy.”

Margret believes volunteering is its own reward, both for the satisfaction of achievement and the deeper connections formed with fellow volunteers.

LYN JENKIN is a graphic designer and communications specialist. She has worked predominantly with the community services sector, locally, nationally and internationally over 35 years.

Locally, her move to Wheatsheaf in 2015 brought new skills, a peaceful garden, new friends and opportunities to support many local community groups in Hepburn Shire with (in-kind) design and communications advice.

Nationally, Lyn’s business, Disruptive Media, focuses on supporting organisations to create social change, particularly in the disability, health, education, environment, social enterprise and family violence sectors – both in Australia and Timor-Leste.

“I also volunteer on two not-for-profit Boards, so I have some experience in governance and operational planning,” she said.

 At the international level, Lyn said, “My pride and joy (apart from my two fabulous kids) is Permatil Global, a not-for-profit environmental organisation I co-founded in 2019, which works in food, water and climate resilience across the globe. To date, our resources have been accessed in 162 countries.”

Recently, Lyn began the transition to semi-retirement, freeing-up time for other things, such as joining the GPA!

“I look forward to working with the new committee and engaging with our ever-growing local community.”

BRONWYN ROWBOTHAM has lived in Glenlyon for 12 years. Originally, she came here on the recommendation of her brother Glenn, but ironically he’s now moving from the district! Bronwyn has a background in teaching and careers guidance. She, too has had an international career, having worked in Papua New Guinea and Malaysia.

Bronwyn’s first love has to be music. She said, “I have a lot to offer in the way of organisational skills and co-ordinating events. An example is Newstead Live, a music festival that takes place each year over the long weekend in January, featuring The Troubadour live music venue & wine bar, concerts, sessions, blackboard spots, workshops, Australia's original trad disco with pool party, good food, camping.”

Many locals enjoy The White Room, where Bronwyn runs live concerts in her home with a wide variety of guest musicians.

Bronwyn’s local volunteering extends to being a member of the Cemetery Trust.

As a new committee member, Bronwyn said, “I want to see more live music in Glenlyon, and to increase the engagement and involvement of our community with GPA events.”