Penrhos means everything to me - Cinzia Lee

From a young age, Cinzia Lee (Class of 1996) has loved to dance, sing and perform. She fondly recalls the story her mum, Jenny, often shared as the moment her talent became apparent: "I was just two years old and holding onto the side of the dining table and bouncing to Love is Like a Butterfly by Dolly Parton until my nappy fell off!" 

Raised in a single-income household, Cinzia remembers her mum as a "very quiet and humble lady" who worked tirelessly to provide opportunities for Cinzia to pursue her talent in the performing arts. Among their dreams of the future was the opportunity for Cinzia to attend Penrhos – she was the only musically-inclined one in her family, but it simply wasn't possible for them financially.

However, everything changed when Cinzia was awarded a Foundation bursary. She recalls, "it changed my life!"

Once at Penrhos, Cinzia quickly immersed herself in every aspect of school life. “I loved everything about Penrhos; I loved the facilities, the grounds, my friends and the performing arts.”

Cinzia also describes the friendships she formed as among the most important in her life today. “My best friends are still from Penrhos. We’re very close and have helped each other through all the ups and downs of life.”

PERFORMING AT PENRHOS

It was through Penrhos' vibrant drama program that Cinzia’s passion for performing truly flourished. “I loved the drama festivals and took every opportunity to step onto the stage.” 

At the time, the Rixon Theatre (then known as 'the PAC') was still being built but opened by the time Cinzia was in Year 11, with its first musical production of The Boyfriend, starring Heath Ledger. 

For Cinzia, the Rixon Theatre became far more than just a performance space.

“Being in a theatre like the Rixon laid the foundation for who I would become. It gave me practical experience. We learnt how a stage works, about dealing with nerves before stepping on stage, theatre etiquette, safety rules, and what it truly feels to perform in front of a large audience. All of those experiences were so important – and it gave me belief in myself.”

The Rixon, Cinzia says, “ignited a fire" in her to pursue her dreams and set her on the path that would ultimately shape her future. 

Performing after Penrhos

Just months after graduation, 18-year-old Cinzia was preparing for a new exciting chapter: relocating to Sydney after being accepted into Brent Street, one of Australia’s leading performing arts schools. From there, her career accelerated rapidly.

She trained at WAAPA (Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts) and built a fascinating and successful career across performing arts and media. Cinzia starred in major musicals including Grease, Jersey Boys and Footloose, touring Australia and performing in front of audiences of more than 2000 people. She shared the stage with some of Australia’s biggest stars including John Farnham, Anthony Warlow, Kylie Minogue and Hugh Jackman.

Beyond the stage, Cinzia has built a remarkable career in media, working as a TV presenter and producer for major programs including The Footy Show on Channel 9. Her creative work also extends to radio and the creation of her own acclaimed cabaret shows.

“It was just incredible and I feel Penrhos is a big part of my success”, says Cinzia reflecting on her experiences. “When you go to a school like Penrhos, you can easily forget how blessed you are. I felt very lucky to have those opportunities and facilities. It taught me to never take anything for granted and to always stay humble and kind.”

Enduring friendships and support

More recently, during one of the most difficult moments of her life, Cinzia again experienced the warmth of the Penrhos community.

“When my mum passed away, it was very fast. It was just over three weeks from diagnosis and at the moment of her passing I had a Penrhos friend there with me. That was deeply moving. To me, that is the spiritual heart of Penrhos.”

Cinzia was also supported by members of the special forces community during her grief.

“I’m part of the SAS Association and the special forces helped me with everything – they helped with the funeral and also the wake. It made me ask myself, ‘How can I give back?’.”

Since then, Cinzia has been passionate about offering others the same support that meant so much to her, and has dedicated herself to helping people in the areas of mental health and wellbeing.

“I've always cared deeply about people's wellbeing, especially men's mental health”, she says. “I’m trained in elite wellbeing management and have worked with veterans, special forces personnel, first responders and elite athletes supporting them in some of the most demanding environments.”