Vale Lyn Goulder a Southern Highlands community stalwart

Lyn was born on the April 27, 1946. She was the third child of Min and Harry Smith, with siblings Jack, Kate and Chris.

She spent her childhood at the Smith's Riding School on the corner of Cliff Street and Mittagong Road, Bowral.

The Smiths developed their equestrian skills early and Lyn's brother Jack recalls that if you could sit up straight then you were old enough to ride a horse!

There was no school holidays for the Smith children as this was also the busiest time in the riding school. The children had to help feed, groom and saddle up to 50 horses and ponies twice a day every day of the holidays.

During the school term the children still had to bring the horses in from the Smith's paddock - where the Bowral Swimming Pool is now. Often when grass was scarce the horses were supervised by the Smiths children in the 'Long Paddock' or the roads around Cliff Street in Bowral.

After attending Bowral Public School, Lyn then attended Bowral High School where she excelled in all Sports.

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Lyn was a member of the A Grade hockey team for all her high school years.

She was awarded sporting blues in hockey, softball and athletics and was, throughout all her high school life, the only female to ever be awarded this triple blue.

The talented sportswoman was also selected and represented NSW in School Girls Hockey in 1961 and she captained the NSW School Girls team in 1962.

After leaving school, Lyn worked for the County Council in Bowral in administration.

After marrying David Goulder from EW Goulder Upholstery in Mittagong, Lyn left work and raised their two children Wendy and Jo.

Lyn devoted her life to her children, assisting them with their schooling, sporting and horse riding. This often meant travelling around many shows and horse events around the State.

Lyn followed her participation as a child at Berrima District Pony Club, by becoming assistant instructor when her girls began Pony Club and then eventually Senior Instructor for the Club for over 15 years.

During those years Berrima District Pony Club became the largest club in the Zone, and was the most successful club in Royal Agricultural Society competitions. Lyn also became the Zone 10 Pony Club Association Treasurer, a position she held for several years.

Lyn was also the current Honorary Patron of the Zone 10 Pony Club Association.

Lyn's mother Min Smith was the first female secretary of Bong Bong Race Club and also the first female race secretary in Australia. At this time Lyn herself became the first female assistant secretary as well.

The Smith family has a very long history with Bowral Show, with Lyn taking over the position of Ringmaster from her father Harry who had taken on this from his father Boss Smith. Lyn was also the current Bowral Show treasurer.

Lyn returned to work part time in administration for the Department of Agriculture with Soil Conservation in Moss Vale.

Following the closure of this office in Moss Vale, Lyn then worked for the Department of Community Service office in Bowral.

Lyn's daughter Wendy outlined that "once the grandchildren came along Mum never missed an opportunity to attend anything that they were doing. Often rearranging her whole day or week to be at a school or sporting event".

"She cooked, she sewed, she washed, she scrubbed, she folded, she matched socks, she collected from school or the bus, she gave myriads of advice for every facet of life and was there for us at anytime of the day or night and this was all just in one week," Wendy said.

"Life was never still. Mum never sat!"

Daughter Jo says "Mum was always positive, never negative about anything or anyone".

"Mum's drive, sprit and determination has taught me that nothing was too hard, and never give up on achieving your goals or jobs that need to be done around the house or on the farm," Jo said.

"Mum always said 'don't ever let anyone tell you that you can't have a go, it's all in your mind, you need to think you can do it and you will be surprised with the outcome'."

Devoted to her Grandchildren, Jack, Darcy, Grace, Kate, Elly and Ava, Lyn was an essential part of all their daily lives and they each recalled their favourite moments with their Nan!

Lyn Goulder was a part of 'Old Bowral' and the riding school was an institution around the Highlands. Her passing is really the end of an Era of those in the Bowral community.