Happy Birthday Evelyn!

Thursday was the night of the Williams' Family Picnic and reunion, right there on the beach, right where Evelyn wanted to be to celebrate her 90th birthday with her friends and family around her.

She got almost the entire family here -- with only one at home renovating the house and just one grandchild off at camp.  Two who are out of the country failed to appear, but they seemed to have an excuse... other than that, it was all hands on board.

On the other hand, mother duck brought her two tiny ducklings along to join the party!

Stuart organized a wonderful banner, to help celebrate the 50 years that Evelyn has been coming to Bondi Village.  He imported it from California, of all places. Enterprising, is our Stuart!

No-one could ever overlook Walter -- a picnic isn't a party unless Walt is there at Evelyn's side.

That 50th year landmark was also celebrated in pastry, in the form of a huge cake.

Not the only cake on offer - there was another, chocolate (although we have no idea what made the lurid colours of the balloons) celebrating birthdays.

Brian shared the day, it being his 60th birthday; and Colin, also about to clock up 60 years, was there to get in on the cake.  Aunt Pat will be, well, let's just say a year older soon too, so she also got her name inscribed.

Family and friends are gifts enough, when you are 90, but Evelyn also received birthday greetings from both the Township of Lake of Bays and from MP Tony Clement.

Here's to you Evelyn... thank you for helping make Bondi a special place for the past half century, for sharing your family with us, and entrusting your summer memories into our care.