Club History

Lawson Physical Culture Club first opened its doors in 1978. Just two years later, when the club was left without a teacher, Shirley was personally asked by Edith Parsons to take on the role. Shirley poured her heart into the club, and in 1997, she welcomed her daughter Kerry into the teaching team, passing on not only her skills but her love for physie.

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In 2004, Kerry moved away for work, and in 2006, Shirley moved into semi-retirement. Two teachers from Springwood Physie Club merged the 2 clubs, forming the Lawson Springwood Physical Culture Club, but the heart of the club remained in the family.

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Today, the club is led by three generations—Shirley, Kerry, and now her daughter Ruby—who share a deep love of physie and the joy it brings. Together, they nurture a welcoming community, passing on lifelong friendships, skills, and the enduring spirit of physie to every member who joins their club family.

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Kerry Solomon - Head Teacher

Kerry has loved physie since she was just four years old and began teaching alongside her mum, Shirley, in 1997. She reached the pinnacle of physie when she was awarded Advanced Ladies Champion in 2019 and again in 2020. Kerry has also contributed to the wider physie community, serving on the EP Physie Board as both a General Board Member and Treasurer, helping guide the organisation into the modern era. As part of a proud three-generation physie family, physie remains a very special part of Kerry’s life—not only as a passionate teacher and accomplished competitor, but also as a devoted mum, sharing the journey with her daughter, Ruby. Kerry teaches all sections of the club and now lovingly mentors Ruby as she follows in her footsteps, working towards becoming a fully qualified teacher.

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Ruby Solomon - Assistant Teacher

Ruby’s love of physie was inspired by her mum, Kerry, and her grandmother, Shirley, and began at just three years of age when she started her own physie journey. She has proudly represented the club many times at Grand Finals, achieving place-getter results across multiple years. Ruby began assisting in classes in 2024 as Dance Teacher before stepping into the official role of Assistant Teacher in 2025. In 2026, Ruby will continue to grow her teaching experience by delivering the syllabus to the 5–12 year age groups, carrying on the family’s physie legacy.

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Shirley Harris - Club Founder

Shirley began at Lawson Physie Club in 1980 and has been a much-loved instructress with the club for over 40 years. Her lifelong dedication to physie began as a young girl competing in other codes of physie and her mum was a pianist for multiple clubs.  Shirley also dedicated 26 years to the running of EP Physie on the Board as Secretary until 2016. Today, Shirley continues to share her passion and experience alongside her daughter Kerry and granddaughter Ruby, supporting and inspiring all classes. Together, the three generations represent the heart of the club, with Shirley remaining a deeply valued and cherished part of the Lawson Springwood Physie family.​