Audrey’s 100th birthday – by Trevine Rodrigo (eLanka – Melbourne)
A memorable afternoon at the Village Green hotel in Glen Waverley celebrating aunty Audrey’s 100th birthday.
An appreciative crowd of around 100 family and close friends gathered to celebrate this remarkable lady’s magical milestone at a well coordinated party.
She looked radiant and as switched on as any of us, taking in the atmosphere well within her stride. Aunty Audrey is my late dad Justin Rodrigo’s cousin, and her longevity has everything to to with a positive mindset and attitude, combined with a strong belief in God.
She also possesses a sharp mind that brings success in all she undertakes. She has been a livewire in the fields of management and other projects both here in Australia and in her native country, Sri Lanka.
She lived most of her life in the hilly climes of Nuwara Eliya, Nawalapitiya and Kandy. Her family owned the famous photography company, John and Company in Nuwara Eliya. Immigrating to Australia with late husband Claude and daughters Malkanthi and Lilamani in 1976, she made giant strides in all she undertook here in Australia after an active working life managing and in charge of the family business in Sri Lanka from a young age.
She then dedicated her life to voluntary work with charitable organisations such as Word Vision and the Freemasons. Her involvement stopped just two years ago at age 98. A remarkable achievement indeed. Believe it or not, she holds a current driver’s licence and is capable of getting around, although not long distances these days.
In her thank you speech, delivered with confidence and simplicity she said, ” I did not think I would reach this milestone. It came upon me suddenly.” much to the amusement of everyone. Someone muttered, ” hundred years later”.
Popular musician and multi-talented Rob Foenander who emceed and performed at the event put the icing on the cake with his polished handling of the occasion.
Please click here to visit eLanka facebook page to view the full set of photos
