Sylvia's parents came to Central Eyre Peninsula from England in 1915. She was edcucated at the Kyancutta Primary School, but left at the age of 13 and worked at home. She married a farmer who was clearing a scrub block at Cockaleechie, and 'played the usual role of a farmer's wife and mother of four children'. She retired to Cummins and joined the local writers' group after being urged to write a book about her father. On completion of the book she went on to write short pieces for local publication, mostly historical snippets of early everyday life in the region.
