I was born in Brisbane – one of six children. My grandmother lived in Toowoomba and we visited her often. I have very fond memories of playing in the yard and putting on many concerts with my siblings. Christmases were spent here with extended family and a massive feast. After leaving school, I also studied in Toowoomba at the USQ. Being a quiet city, we had to make our own fun, but it also meant the study became more focused which was advantageous. As much as I missed my family, it was great to be finding my way in the world.

THE GREAT BARRIER REEF

After graduating from university, I toured Queensland for three years with various theatre companies, visiting many extraordinary places. I will never forget the first time I explored the reef. It was sheer magic. I felt like an alien in a magnificent, mind-blowing world. I truly hope our governments give high priority to protecting this great natural wonder.

PARIS

I was eager to explore more training in the area of physicality/character work. While performing in a production of Shakespeare's Troilus and Cressida with Geoffrey Rush in Brisbane, we spoke about a mime and movement school he attended in Paris. It seemed like a great fit. He wrote me a reference, I applied, I got in. It took some time for me to get over the initial culture shock and feelings of home sickness, but then, like most, I fell in love with this beautiful city. This was made somewhat easier as a friend of mine had arranged for me to stay with an incredibly kind French family who lived opposite the Eiffel Tower. Talk about landing on your feet.

LONDON

I continued my acting training with a French teacher who formerly taught at Lecoq but had broken away and started his own school. I sat in on one of his classes and was very impressed with his pedagogy. He was about to establish a school in London, so I followed. London was great fun. Big share house with much late-night revelling. Here I found friends that I later had the opportunity to visit in their homes in Brazil, Spain, Ireland and Scotland. Always better to discover places with locals.

HOLLAND

While I was studying, I took the opportunity to explore Europe and found myself in Holland, the birthplace of my father. I discovered that many of his (what I perceived to be) eccentricities were in fact commonplace here. Dad has a second cousin who is one of 14 so it was wonderful to meet this large extended family. A whole side of my life opened up and I am still close with them today.

Russell Dykstra is currently appearing in Rake – Thursdays on ABC TV.