By Eleanor Wilson
Although she celebrated her 100th birthday in August last year, the celebrations are still going for Berwick local Beryl Excell.
On Sunday Akoonah Park held a lunch at Jack Rae Pavillion to recognise Mrs Excell’s momentous achievement, along with her contribution to the community over the years.
Friends and family, which included her four children, 12 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and seven great-great-grandchildren gathered to raise a toast to Mrs Excell, who along with husband Stan, was instrumental in the early development of Akoonah Park.
Park manager Gayle Joyce said Mrs Excell and her family were thrilled to attend the celebration after Covid restrictions limited last year’s festivities.
“Last year they were only able to have a very small get together because it was Covid, so now she was able to, with our assistance, have all the extended family there and it was just wonderful,” she said.
“She’s such a lovely lady. Always happy, she’s good at everything but she’s the type of person that is in the background getting everything done behind the scenes, so it is wonderful to celebrate her.”
A direct descendant of Harkaway settler and pioneer Ernst Wanke, Mrs Excell’s involvement in the community also extends to the Berwick Inner Wheel, Presbyterian Church and Berwick Show Society, where for years she flaunted her talents as a seamstress, knitter and cook.
“Beryl has not sought the limelight but has clearly been the backbone of the Excell family and still setting a very high standard for others to follow,” said chairman of Akoonah Park committee of management Andy Fyfe.
