On the weekend of November 2nd and 3rd 2019 I attended two remarkable birthday parties. The first occurred mid-way through the Armidale Bridge Club's usual Saturday afternoon game, which I was also directing. And one of the regular players was Olive Tilley who was also celebrating her 99th birthday. The occasion was broadcast widely and attracted 10 tables of players that afternoon. At around 2.30 pm I called a halt to the game and the following pictures describe what then occurred.
Here are the balloons that decorated Olive's table - she was, as usual seated permanently North-South.
And on the right we can see Olive seated at the table where the cake was ready for the cutting. Rather than have 99 candles, there were two candles shaped as 9s, which - below - she tried to set alight, something eventually achieved.
All this was eagerly watched by the afternoon's players and, once the candles were blown out we eagerly awaited the slicing of the cake, which turned out to be delicious. The organisers of this party did a great job.
As far as I know, Olive had no family members at this event. Remarkably, our 99 year old bridge super-star still wins occasional sessions and drives herself alone to the club in her Maserati ... or similar.
The following day, Dot and I attended another party held in a local pub .... the Railway Hotel. This time the guest of honour was Austin Tilbrook, who turned 90. I once had a German-born Uncle Henry who said that Austin meant Aus Tin. Once translated from the German this turned out to mean 'made of tin'. I asked Austin about the meaning of his name and he refuted the German version, saying that his name was short for Augustine.
This was another well-planned humming event attended by masses of people, many of them Rotarians from our club, Armidale North. If Olive had around 40 for her party, Austin had at least that number taking up a whole room in the pub. We were served with excellent, abundant and free finger food. Austin also stressed he did not need any presents, although he acquired a stack of birthday cards, one from Dot and me. Here he is on the left addressing the multi-age audience that included what I presume to be great-grand-kids.
Balloons were abundant.
And here's Dot on the left chatting to one of our Rotary members, June Dangar.
Hint: will one of my family members arrange for my portrait to be unveiled in time for my 90th anniversary which is only 15 years or so away!
AS
Here are the balloons that decorated Olive's table - she was, as usual seated permanently North-South.
And on the right we can see Olive seated at the table where the cake was ready for the cutting. Rather than have 99 candles, there were two candles shaped as 9s, which - below - she tried to set alight, something eventually achieved.
All this was eagerly watched by the afternoon's players and, once the candles were blown out we eagerly awaited the slicing of the cake, which turned out to be delicious. The organisers of this party did a great job.
As far as I know, Olive had no family members at this event. Remarkably, our 99 year old bridge super-star still wins occasional sessions and drives herself alone to the club in her Maserati ... or similar.
The following day, Dot and I attended another party held in a local pub .... the Railway Hotel. This time the guest of honour was Austin Tilbrook, who turned 90. I once had a German-born Uncle Henry who said that Austin meant Aus Tin. Once translated from the German this turned out to mean 'made of tin'. I asked Austin about the meaning of his name and he refuted the German version, saying that his name was short for Augustine.
This was another well-planned humming event attended by masses of people, many of them Rotarians from our club, Armidale North. If Olive had around 40 for her party, Austin had at least that number taking up a whole room in the pub. We were served with excellent, abundant and free finger food. Austin also stressed he did not need any presents, although he acquired a stack of birthday cards, one from Dot and me. Here he is on the left addressing the multi-age audience that included what I presume to be great-grand-kids.
Balloons were abundant.
And here's Dot on the left chatting to one of our Rotary members, June Dangar.
While Austin decried receiving presents he acquired a huge one ... but by a kind of accident. A highly respected, and prize-winning, local artist supported Rotary financially by offering to paint a portrait of a local member across northern NSW. There was a a contest among many Rotary clubs to gain the portrait for one of their members. Our club won and then held a raffle, which I entered, to see who would get their portrait painted. Austin won, and the result was unveiled in Sunday afternoon at the pub. As you can see, it was a great job.
Hint: will one of my family members arrange for my portrait to be unveiled in time for my 90th anniversary which is only 15 years or so away!
AS
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