IPSWICH - A glass of port before dinner, catching up with her friends and family and keeping busy is the key to a long and happy life says Rosewood resident, Ede Catherine Bambling.
The long-term resident recently celebrated her 100th birthday.
Ede was born on August 20, 1921 to Sam and Kate Crosby, in Townson. She was the youngest of 10 children.
Ede attended school in Townson and grew up on the family dairy farm where she helped with milking calves, feeding the poddy calves and harvesting produce from daylight to dark.
She recalls her family receiving food vouchers in the war years that her father would give away because he grew all of his own produce which he also often shared with local families.
“We lived a simple life,” Ede said.
“Mum was a great cook and nothing ever went to waste.
“As children we would often enjoy attending local dances and a game of cricket in the front yard.
“When I left school, I stayed at home to help my parents with work on the farm.
“My father was the local delivery man, delivering food and produce by bullock and horse teams to families within the area.”
In 1938, Ede met Jimmy Bambling when he was riding his horse past her house. Jimmy worked in the local mill and would often cart stock up to Mount Mistake.
Before too long, Ede and Jimmy, became a couple and they were married in the St Pauls Church, Ipswich on September 13, 1939.
It was a happy time and they became the parents of three children, Lawrence, Douglas and Lynnell.
In 1960, the family packed up and moved first to a farm on the Seven Mile and then to a home in Rosewood where Ede still lives with her family today.
Jimmy worked hard for his family with carting timber for the local mines. Ede would often go along for the ride and would help him where she could.
Over the years Ede said that they have always been a very close family, sharing special occasions like Christmas and birthdays together.
“Christmas has always been a big day for our family.
“The table is always full of hams, chickens and salads, a lovely feast that is always finished with a plum pudding.
“We have shared a really happy life and with the addition of nine grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren and nine great great grandchildren I have been blessed to be involved in many family achievements and milestones.
The couple were also involved in their community.
“Jimmy joined the Rosewood Golf Club and I joined the Rosewood Bowls Club where from this we both made many friendships and memories that have lasted forever.”
Jimmy passed away in 1993.
“I continued to play bowls where I made some very special friendships,” Ede recalled.
“I participated in lady’s days and every Friday night was most enjoyable with a dinner and a game of barefoot bowls.”
Ede enjoys crossword puzzles, knitting, crocheting, sewing and baking her famous scones, cakes and biscuits.
“I have taken each day as it has come, have enjoyed the small things in life and have always had a little glass of port before tea.”
And she described her many skills as being “a jack of all trades, but a master of none”.
Ede has been described by her family as a “remarkable lady who has always been there for her family, she is the rock of the family, who always has an open ear to listen, and an open heart to share advice.”
Her home is filled with memories of gatherings, sleep overs, children playing in the trees, the crack of macadamia nuts and the sweetness of the mangoes that are all grown at Ede’s home garden.
Her 100th birthday celebration was shared with her family, friends and members of the Rosewood Bowls Club who all congratulated her on reaching this golden milestone.
Well wishes, cards and gifts were presented from the Queen, the Prime Minister and local government representatives and a signed photograph from her idol, Ash Barty was also well received.
