A little bit about me.

South African born I have enjoyed a career in the theatre and related arts spanning 50 years.  

I have  worked in all branches of the performing arts both in South Africa and more recently

 in Scotland. 

I have directed Opera, Musicals, Drama and for children, Conventional theatre and educational theatre. 

As Jacky Vermaas – I  was  Head of Drama at the Natal University of Technology for 7 years. Having moved to Scotland  I worked in Arts Development for both the Cumbernauld Theatre and the Inverclyde Council directing  Opera and Drama, creating public art works, music projects in the community and developing projects designed to improve the quality of life for both young and old.

 Working in Arts Development out of the McLean Museum in Greenock I was responsible for exhibitions, workshops and concerts related to the Museum and Inverclyde.

On the death of my  husband,  Opera Singer Lawrence Folley, in 2007 I returned to South Africa where, for five years, ( Until major damage to my knee caused by a fall in Pick and Pay stopped most of my physical activity.)    I was lucky enough to  tbe able to teach acting  and Movement ,in the  Opera School at Cape Town University and was Museum Director at the Casa Labia in Cape Town.

I am  currently working on my second book for young people. The first was called From the Kalahari to the Clyde..... the adventure of an intrepid Meercat.

I have  two  sons one living happily in Johannesburg with his partner and the other living  in Scotland with his partner. I have a Siberian cat called Patches and am  the proud Grandmother of Rachel, Louise, Samuel, Naomi and little Oliver

I am surrounded by family and friends who all  standing by to support me  through this Stemcell Transplant Adventure.                     

Patches: Companion, confidant, comfort and

Nurse