Q&A with Pakenham Upper author Shelby Nyhuis

Shelby is a self-published author of her book 'Fear'.

Tell us a fun fact about yourself!

I have jumped out of an aeroplane for my brother’s 21st birthday and I loved it but definitely would not do it again. I am way to scared now.

What are you most passionate about?

Making other people smile and being around kids. I love working with kids and would love to take it further into working with more kids with disabilities. I love working out why people do what they do and analyse it and coming up with strategy to help.

What do you love about Pakenham Upper?

The amazing scenery (always love the hills) and the serenity. There is no big push on having to be somewhere or the stress and pressure that you get as you move closer to the city.

What would your last meal be?

Being a South African, I would say Pap and Wors (South African dish) and then followed with milktert. Yum yum yum.

What was your most memorable moment?

The day I got married. It was a magical moment when I married my best friend and I could not believe how much I felt like a princess and everyone stopped to see me.

What was your favourite subject in school?

Art, I was never good at art but I loved the creative side.

Which six dinner guests, dead or alive, would you invite to dinner?

Ed Sheeran, I love all his music. The Queen, just so I can say I’ve had dinner with her. Selena Gomez.

What are you currently listening to/watching or reading?

Suits, I love it!

Have you had a pet that has made an impact on your life?

Yes. I went through a lot of court cases and I was lucky enough to start the therapy dog program at court with coop. And since then I got a dog last year so that I can have my own therapy dog because it really helped me then and I feel I needed something to help me now. Since getting Aragorn (my cavoodle) I haven’t been able to do the therapy training (due to Covid) but he has already helped and impacted my life for the better.

If you had to compete on MasterChef, what dish would you cook?

Stir fry. I am definitely no chef in the kitchen. Simple and easy.

Where is your dream holiday destination?

I loved the Whitsundays. I would love to go back there or any Disneyland! I am a huge Disney fan!

What were you like as a kid?

Extremely happy and bubbly. I loved to put on a show and be infront of People. I also had a lot of responsibility to look after my siblings/cousins a lot. So I would find fun ways to entertain them.

What is your favourite colour and why?

Green! I don’t know. Just loved the colour jade green as I got older.

Do you consider yourself an extrovert or an introvert?

I would say that I used to be an extrovert, but after my previous relationship I became an introvert. I believe there is moments where I show a bit of my ’out there’ side but it is no where near as much as what I was like.