Well-known and loved Narrabri local Elaine Jones recently celebrated her 103rd birthday, with a special high tea party surrounded by her family and friends, alongside Whiddon Robert Young staff, as reported in last week’s Courier.
The Church Women’s Guild, Church Of England Parish Council, Narrabri Public School canteen and P&C, the Country Women’s Association and the Historical Society are some of the community organisations Mrs Jones has actively been involved in throughout her life.
In most of these organisations, Mrs Jones held leadership roles such as secretary, vice president and president.
Mrs Jones volunteered tirelessly for Meals on Wheels, from preserving fruits and vegetables to helping in the kitchen, only stepping back from volunteering five years ago.
Elaine also supported community events, cooking at pony camps, and acting as a volunteer roster clerk when needed.
“Grandchildren’s weddings started in the early 2000s, and Elaine became Grannie to great-grandchildren, of which there are now 20 – Dawson, Mackenzie, Lily-Rose, Rhyley, Lacey, Charlie, Toby, Ollie, Ruby, Indigo, Callum, Lucy, Georgie, Thomas, Emily, Hamish, Cecilia, Jacob, Norah and Wilfred,” Mr Jones said.
As a devoted grandmother and great-grandmother, Elaine has knitted blankets as wedding presents for all her 20 grandchildren.
For her birthday party on Wednesday, October 22, the staff at Whiddon were given very strict instructions by Mrs Jones, to keep it short and sweet.
So, the morning kicked off with a cup of tea for everyone as well as some delicious sandwiches, fruit, biscuits and of course cake to follow.
Speeches were made by close friends and family members before unwrapping gifts.
Then it was time to cut the cake and receive the thoughts of true critic, Mrs Jones.
Good friend Max Pringle OAM, read a poem he had written about Elaine, which touched the hearts of everyone in the room.
Poem by Max Pringle OAM
You’ve been around for so long now
You’re a part of Narrabri,
There’s not much that you haven’t done
As the years went slipping by.
You were there in the Depression
When just living could be tough,
And then you lived through World War II
Even that was pretty rough.
Prime Ministers have come and gone
While your life’s been rearranged,
Yet you carried on through it all
As the world around you changed.
Your faith has always kept you strong
Your belief has never waned,
And through the intervening years
Faith in the Lord’s been maintained.
Always willing to help others
As you battled on through life,
As a widow with young children
You have had your share of strife.
You stand as a testimony
As to just what can be done,
If we should need an example
Elaine Jones, then you’re the one.
You’ve passed your three score years and ten
As to that we can attest,
You’ve done your best for Narrabri
Now’s the time to take some rest.
In your one hundred and third year
We are all quite proud to say,
We think the world of you, Elaine
And all say happy birthday.
