Wayside Stories

Lyn's Story - 'Wayside saved my life"...

When you walk into Lyn Cappella’s beauty salon on the main drag of the Cross a mixture of chimes and scents meets you. Lyn bounces out with her tattoos and short blonde hair. Smiling and bubbly. When she finally has a moment to sit and talk she is constantly jumping up to answer the phone or talk with a client. It’s no wonder that she opened a second salon just down the road.

Yet, her life wasn’t always as grounded. She was born in Kings Cross, and has always loved it. Here mother was a photographer for such famous Kings Cross institutions as Les Girls. As she says ‘I grew up with all the Trannies and all the weird and wonderful people.’ But her life wasn’t easy.

The Cross was a very different place back then, especially the drug scene. There weren’t hard drugs like now, just booze, marijuana and speed. ‘If you were rebellious they would just ship you off to boarding school.’ And Lyn was rebellious to say the least. ‘I was punk before there was punk. I had black and white hair. Mad make up and everything. I was a bit of a rebel and a bit out there.’ She ran away from home at age fifteen and lived on the street to avoid a less then desirable home situation. She begged on the street for money and slept in alleyways. Then, as now, people would congregate at Wayside, in the Chapel or café and Lyn was often found hanging out the front.

Lyn had enough of her life and decided to end it with a large dose of pure speed. After taking it she ran down to Wayside, trying to escape from the aliens she thought were following her. The crew at Wayside called an ambulance and had her rushed to hospital. ‘I probably wouldn’t be here now. I was on a drip for a week in hospital. I’m very very lucky.’

After being released she was placed in a girls home. She married an abusive man and had her daughter in the Cross. Life was still hard. Her second child, a boy, came along and she left the area, but still donated her old clothes to Wayside.

Many years, and many ups and downs later, she bought some property in the Cross and fell back in love with the area. She worked hard, pulling herself from the vicious cycle of abuse that she was in.

Now Lyn has lived locally for thirteen years. Her business is thriving and she has an adorable grandson. Her life hasn’t been easy but she says she is happy with it. ‘Growing up in the Cross has allowed me to have a weird and wonderful life.’ She now knows the value of helping people. And the power of helping just one person. She hasn’t forgotten where she came from, yet endeavours to allow her story to be an inspiration to others.

She finishes her story by saying ‘I guess I’ve been really blessed.’

Lyn photographed as 'Amy Wineglass' by Peter Michael at Fashionable Philanthropy's 'Dressed by Wayside' event.