By LACHLAN MOORHEAD
A CAMERA containing precious family photos of a well-known Berwick matriarch who died on the weekend has been stolen mere weeks after her 100th birthday.
And the family has offered $1000 for its safe return.
Thelma Pearl Bailey turned 100 on 26 October and celebrated the occasion at a party on 1 November, where many photos with her family were taken.
Some included photos of Thelma and her baby great-granddaughter, Miya, who she met for the very first time at the party.
But the camera containing the photos was stolen from an unlocked car outside the Berwick RSL on Tuesday 11 November.
Thelma died four days later, on Saturday 15 November, and her family has made a desperate plea for the camera’s return, with photos intact.
Thelma’s grandson, Paul Read, said the camera was stolen from his mother’s car, Beryl, while she was helping volunteer at the Berwick RSL.
Paul said the photos were “priceless”.
“The value of those photos to us is priceless, as was she,” he said.
“They are the only photos that we have of her with all her great-grandchildren together, it was the first time she’d ever met her last great-grandchild.
“They had photos taken together, sharing birthday cake.”
Paul said people with information about the lost camera could come forward anonymously and wouldn’t be punished.
“Whoever it is, I’m not going to be angry with them, they’re not going to get into trouble and there will be no questions asked.
“But I want to make sure those photos are on the camera.
“It’s only a $100 camera – they’re going to get a lot more for returning it.”
Thelma is a famous Berwick identity who owned the Beaconsfield mansion – Holm Park.
Paul said his grandmother had been a model, a smart businesswoman, and a “glorious old dame” with a “wicked sense of humour”.
“Her advice to reach 100 was to be loyal, be nice to animals, and if you get lost – follow the car in front,” he said.
Thelma was also the aunt of Noel Sealey, a past president of the Berwick RSL who passed on Monday 12 November.
If anyone has any information in relation to the missing camera, Paul can be contacted anonymously on 0434 066 103.
