Baulkham Hills resident Ethel Giles celebrates 106th birthday in style

Ethel Giles has 106 reasons to smile.

The mayor Michelle Byrne is meeting Baulkham Hills resident Ethel Giles for her 106th birthday. Photo of Michelle with Ethel,

Ethel Giles has 106 reasons to smile.

The Baulkham Hills resident celebrated her 106th birthday on Thursday with about 25 family and friends.

The celebrations began with lunch at the Baulkham Hills Sports Club.

Ethel has been a member of the club for years and the staff surprised her with a large chocolate cake and flowers.

After lunch, everyone went back to Ethel’s Baulkham Hills home for more celebrations and were joined by Hills Shire mayor Michelle Byrne who presented Ethel with a big bouquet of flowers.

When Ethel woke up on her 106th birthday, she did not give much thought to the milestone — she was too busy worrying about the rainy forecast.

“All I was thinking was, ‘I hope the weather’s all right,” Ethel said.

“You never can tell.”

Luckily, the rain held off and the birthday celebrations continued into the late afternoon as Ethel -wearing her favourite colour red — talked about her long and happy life.

Ethel Giles with her great-grandchildren and Hills mayor Michelle Byrne.

Ethel was born in Glebe in 1909 and lived in the inner city suburbs of Campsie, Leichhardt and Haberfield.

“It was quite different then,” Ethel said.

She worked as a secretary before settling into her role as a fulltime mum to her three children — Graeme, Ron and Glenys, who travelled from her home in Melbourne for her mum’s big day.

In 1990, Ethel moved to Baulkham Hills with her husband Alf and has lived in the same house ever since.

Ethel and Alf were married for over 50 years until Alf passed away in 1992.

Ethel has seven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren with another one on the way.

She enjoys spending time with her big family, and has a close-knit group of friends and neighbours — many of whom have lived in the suburb for decades.

Ethel is relatively healthy for her age and lived by herself until a few years ago, when her son Graeme moved in to help take care of her.

Mayor Michelle Byrne presented Ethel with a bunch of flowers for her 106th birthday.

He also now looks after Ethel’s beautiful garden — under careful direction from Ethel.

“I loved gardening,” Ethel said. “I can’t do it anymore though.”

Nowadays, Ethel keeps busy by playing cards and Scrabble, which she says “keeps the mind active”.

Her secrets to a long and happy life are “no smoking and no drinking”.

But Ethel does enjoy treating herself, particularly with chocolate and jube lollies.

Ethel’s message for all of her wellwishers was simple:

“Come back next year.”