Vale Michael Kyd

It is with much sadness to share with you that long-serving KSP Foundation Board of Management member Michael Kyd passed away on 24 October 2020. We extend our heartfelt sympathies to his family at this sad time. Please see obituary here.

Michael Kyd (far left) with the KSP team; 2019 Christmas dinner at the Principal Bar, Midland.

Rather than telling you a bit about Michael, I'll let him tell you himself. This is his KSP board member profile that he wrote a few years ago:

Michael joined the KSP Board of Management at the AGM in October 2015. He wears many hats and has many passions. Lately he is most passionate about history, writing and mental health.

Michael has worked for the Australian army and psychiatric hospitals around the country including 23 years as CEO of Biala Psychotherapy and Rehabilitation Centre in Mundaring Weir Road.

Since returning to the Perth hills area, he has served on many local committees.

He is a direct descendant of Stewart Kyd (Twice Great Grandson). Stewart Kyd was a Scottish politician from Arbroath, barrister, advocate for tenants rights, deist, and author of leather bound law books. These are still being quoted in US, UK and Australian courts today and selling on eBay for thousands of Pounds Imperial. In Michael's bucket list is a visit to Arbroath in Scotland, home of his ancestors, to find the connection to Thomas Kyd who wrote the play “A Spanish Tragedy” which Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” is based on.

Michael's Great Grandfather, at odds with the deist views of his elders, migrated to Adelaide in 1848 at age 20;

His mother, from Darlington, a journalist, artist and an author of a self illustrated book of poems is, so far, the oldest West Australian ever to earn a degree in Fine Arts;

His father, from Parkerville, a keen polo player and a member of the Mt Helena branch of the 10th Light Horse, nick-named the “Mt Helena Roo-ers" (between the two World Wars) paraded past Katharine and Hugo Throssell’s residence in Old York Road to take part in larger events. When he learned the 10th Light Horse was designated to patrol and guard the WA coast he donated his best horse “Caesar” to the Mounted Police and transferred to the 2nd 16th Infantry Battalion. On news of the fall of Singapore and the Japanese advance on Australia, he transferred back to the Light Horse.

Established in 1985, KSP Writers' Centre is the the oldest of its kind in Australia and I feel privileged to be a part of the team further developing it.

It was an equal pleasure for myself and our team to have known and worked with Michael for all these years. He was presented with a special 'King of the Smiles' award at a past KSP team event which perfectly sums up his presence. He was a dear, dedicated and warm-hearted man who will be sorely missed by his KSP family.

Vale Michael.