By CATHY EATHER

Win Eather turned 99 on November 25 last year.

A small family gathering of about 35 was held at the home of Win’s son and daughter-in-law Ken and Cathy Eather, ‘Kurrawombi’ Bellata on Saturday, November 28.

The highlight of Win’s night was receiving a beautiful letter from Ash Barty as Win is a very keen tennis follower and Ash Barty is her favourite.

She also received lovely cards from the Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Mark Coulton MP and Roy Butler MP.

Win’s three sons were in attendance, Peter, Roger and his wife Kerrie, and Ken and his wife Cathy.

Win was delighted that seven of her 13 grandchildren were able to attend the party and 17 of her 26 great grandchildren.

One of Win’s sisters Edith and her family also enjoyed the evening as they were in the Narrabri area visiting other members of their family by coincidence at the time.

Win was born in Gunning NSW to Dr Edmund Roseby and his wife Sophia (nee Douglas).

Win is one of 10 children – Don (dec), Meg (Russell) (dec), Bob (dec), Ruth (Lumby) (dec), Doreen (Morgan) (dec), Warwick (dec), Alma (Cameron), Edith (Myers) and Ann (Gardiner).

Dr Roseby and Sophia lived mainly in NSW moving about in general practice and being engaged in community affairs in Warialda, Chatswood, Gunning, Newcastle, Dorrigo, Ulmarra and Texas (Queensland), finally settling in Boggabri.

Win married Stewart Eather in April 1946 and they were happily married for 52 years before Stewart passed away in October 1998.

Win and Stewart moved to ‘Bald Knob’ in the Edgeroi district in the early 1960s and commenced farming full time with their four sons Brad, Roger, Peter and Ken working alongside them.

During the 1970s they purchased two more properties in the Bellata area ‘Kerrie Berrie’ and ‘Haystack’.

In 1980 another property ‘Kurrawombi’ was purchased.

Roger, Peter and Ken along with their families still farm in the district.

Sadly, Brad passed away in 1985 and Peter’s wife Connie passed away in 2017.

Win and Stewart moved to Dunbogan in 1985 and left the farming operations in the capable hands of their sons.

They lived there for about 14 years and enjoyed the coastal life and had many friends.

After Stewart’s death, Win moved back to live at Villarette Avenue, Narrabri.

She then moved into the Frank Whiddon self care units in 2002 and is still enjoying life and her many friends and family.

Win has remained active and as recently as 2002 and 2005, Win enjoyed overseas trips with her sisters to New Zealand, Africa and Europe.

In fact, she and her sister Alma were in London on the day of the bombing in July 2005.

The family was very worried about them at the time, but upon phoning their hotel to make enquiries, the receptionist informed the family that they were off and enjoying themselves.

True to their style, it wasn’t going to bother them.

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