Champagne to celebrate century

TURNING 100 was a regal affair for Gladys Edwards, who celebrated the milestone with a champagne and croissant breakfast last week.
About 20 family and friends joined her for afternoon tea on Tuesday, 19 May, before a larger family gathering on Sunday at her home at Salisbury House, Upper Beaconsfield.
Her niece, Anne Newstead, travelled all the way from England for the occasion.
Ms Edwards was born in Yorkshire and immigrated with her husband Jack in 1965, settling first in Croydon, before a stint in Queensland. She has lived in Pakenham for the past 15 years, some of that time at Meadowvale Retirement Village.
She has two sons, Paul and John, four grand-daughters and two great-grandchildren.
A keen traveller, Ms Edwards said seeing the world was one of the secrets to her long life.
“I’ve been all over Europe. My favourite country is Austria,” she said.
“You need a lovely family and travel, lots of travel.”
Ms Edwards was congratulated on her centenary year by the Queen, Governor-General, Prime Minister and local MPs.
Despite her British origins, Ms Edwards said her royal correspondence was not the highlight of her birthday – she said she wasn’t the biggest fan of the Queen.
“It’s jealousy I think,” she joked.