Eileen with children and cousins (above) and the Smith family girls (below). Photos supplied.

THE Easter Weekend had an additional celebration at the Penrith Bowling Club for the family and friends of Eileen Hill, who
turned 100 years of age on 19th
April.

Her daughter Dianne Notton said “The big day is over. After an exhausting weekend, surrounded by much love, family and friends, I can now sit back and relax.

“The party went off well, and although Mum was convinced it would be too much for her, she coped so well. I was very proud of her.

“There were 47 people at the party, many who travelled for miles to get here for her special day. My brother and niece came from London, there were eight people travelled from New Zealand, four from Queensland, and the rest of the folk were from all over New South Wales. It was a fantastic turnout.

“Mum (Eileen Hill) emigrated to Australia in 1981 to be close to her grandson / my son Jason,” said Dianne

Born Eileen Davidson 19 April 1925 in Dargaville, New Zealand, she is second oldest of eight. There are three siblings surviving, including Eileen, her brother Doug who is 98, and Shirley who is 85. All three siblings were at the birthday party, marking the first time in a very long time they have been together in the same room.

Eileen trained as a nurse with the Northland Hospital Board and married James Hill in 1948. (James passed away in 1978).

The couple had two children, Dianne and Colin, who now lives in London with his wife.

Eileen came to Australia in 1980 and now lives in a self-contained granny flat upstairs in Dianne’s home and is completely independent.

She joined the RSL Travel Club, where she did lots of travelling and met and made many friends. Eileen also belonged to Home League until it folded when COVID hit. She also volunteered with the Smith Family for twenty years.

Eileen has two children, three grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and seven great-great-grandchildren.