By JOYCE MARSH WOODENBONG CORRESPONDENT.
THERE is no stopping Gillian Allerton, the Woodenbong Octogenarian plus, has planned a trip to England to celebrate the 100th birthday of friend Ros Akrill.
Gill is a community minded person and still active with many groups and committees including Urbenville Hospital Auxiliary, Red Cross Kyogle and Bible Study Group.
Her interests include children, gardening, horses, and ballet which she gleaned from a childhood teaching of ballet by a Russian ballerina Madam Zercokowich. Gill loves Rally Cars and V8 Supercar racing.
Gill was born in England, and at age four, while her mother was expecting another child, Gill broke her arm while playing and they needed help to cope so a family friend, Ros Akrill stepped up and a bond was forged.
Gill recalls how Ros has always been in her life, friends forever, and speaks very endearingly of her. This friendship has lasted through great distances and years apart.
Gill’s father bought a farm in Kenya in 1945 and moved the family abroad. Gill recalls the wonderful life they had there. Africa remains in her heart and leaves a legacy of the love of animals and family ties.
Later in life, Gill moved to Australia with her husband and baby daughter, Jenny, and later had another child, Jean.
The family history that led to this close and permanent unforgettable friendship with Ros, has inspired get-togethers where she visited Gill at Woodenbong in 1998 at age 82, and Gill travelled to England to celebrate Ros’ 90th birthday in 2006 and later this year is heading off to celebrate Ros’ 100th birthday with her at Newark-On-Trent, Nottinghamshire in the East Midlands of England.
Gill is travelling with daughter Jenny and plans to visit her sister in Devon and family and friends and travel around England for seven weeks.
