Gwyn was an only child born in 1939 to parents Kathleen and Harold Parkinson, at Sydney's Waverley War Memorial Hospital. After attending Bexley Home Science School, she completed her secretarial certificate and went on to work as personal assistant to the General Manager of the Sydney Fish Markets. She was a sergeant in the army for a short time, and married Ron Austen in 1969.

After moving to Red Rock Ron and Gwyn built the Redbank Holiday Units. Gwyn was a force to be reckoned with and staunchly defended and advocated for the Red Rock community, resulting in her receiving an Order of Australia medal in 2017 for service to Red Rock. Service includes:

·  Trustee of Red Rock Reserve, 1998 - 2004

·  Founding member and secretary of the Red Rock Preservation Association since 1985

·  Secretary of Woolgoolga Uniting Church

·  Elder and lay preacher 

·  Founding member of Woolgoolga Men's Shed, 2007