Glenreagh’s Bessie Webb surrounded by lions ahead of her 99th birthday

‘The place has to be better because you lived there’: With a hand in almost everything, Bessie Webb took the advice of her father and ran with it.

Bessie Webb and Julie Worland at the entrance to the Glenreagh Anglican Church.

At almost 99 years of age, you could forgive Glenreagh’s ultimate mover and shaker for taking a step back. But Bessie Webb is still cracking on.

Elizabeth ‘Bessie’ Webb OAM has either founded or had a hand in almost every community group in and around Glenreagh. It’s borne from the same sense of social enterprise she credits her father with possessing.

“Wherever we lived, he said the place has to be better because you lived there – you have to contribute something,” she said.

“If each person did something to contribute to the place they lived, it will be a better place.”

On Monday the Orara Valley and Woolgoolga Lions Clubs came together to show their appreciation ahead of her 99th birthday on Saturday.

“Bessie is an icon of Glenreagh,” Orara Valley Lions Club secretary Noel Backman said.

“Everything that happens in Glenreagh, Bessie plays a part and has done for many years.”

Bessie Webb celebrates her 99th birthday with the Woolgoolga and Orara Valley Lions Clubs.

She has deep roots in the community too, with her ancestors having made the long trip north from the south coast when gold was discovered in the 1880s.

Over the years Bessie has researched the town’s history extensively and is still in charge of its museum. In 1998, she authored the book Glenreagh: A Town of Promise, as well as co-authoring another on the region’s railway history.

In 2013 she was awarded an Order of Australian Medal for her service to the community and Bessie said it was helpful she has “always been interested in the community”.

“I love the history of the place and I love people. I am just interested in everything,” she said

“I think you have got to be a curious soul and you have got to keep using your marbles.”