95th birthday celebrations for Boggabri’s Eila Pratley

Eila Pratley celebrated her 95th birthday with a lunch with close friends on Saturday.

Mrs Pratley was born in Bondi and did most of her schooling at Bondi Public School.

After school she worked in several office jobs prior to becoming a governess for Barry and Kay McKenzie.

Barry and Kay were the children of Jessie and Harold McKenzie at ‘Melrose’ Boggabri.

Boggabri and Bondi didn’t have much in common but Boggabri became her home.

Mrs Pratley loved the surf however, the only waves in Boggabri were the heat waves.

She met a young man, Bill Pratley who won her heart and she has called Boggabri home since they were married in Bellevue Hill on September 20, 1952, and made their home in Boggabri.

The Pratleys had three children – Jill arrived in 1954, followed by Heather in 1957 and Mark in 1960.

Mr Pratley passed away November 6, 1993.

Mrs Pratley’s family has expanded to nine grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.

Mrs Pratley supported the Boggabri Parents and Citizens Association and the swimming club while her children were young.

She also taught sewing at the Boggabri Public School and swimming with the Department of Sport and Recreation.

Other community interests have included Boggabri Home and Community Care, Boggabri Hospital Board and hospital auxiliary, tennis, golf, reading and patchwork.

Mrs Pratley enjoys the company and friendship of many people from various age groups within the Boggabri community.