Friends, family on hand for milestone birthday

Emily AceSouth Western Times

BUNBURY resident Nyola Warnes celebrated her 100th birthday on October 20 at Regis Bunbury, where she was joined by friends and family – some of which had travelled from England for the momentous occasion.

Mrs Warnes received a letter from Queen Elizabeth, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, the Australian Governor-General Peter Cosgrove and Forrest MHR Nola Marino in recognition of the milestone.

Camera IconNyola Warnes celebrates her 100th birthday with her family by her side, incluing her granddaughters Sue Thatcher, of Perth, and Liz Mencel, of Dunsborough and daughters Geraldine Peterkin, of Bunbury, and Pam Peake, of Norfolk. Credit: Emily Ace

Born in Wellington, New Zealand, on October 20, 1917, Mrs Warnes has lived through two world wars and moved to Bunbury just four years ago.

As a young girl growing up in the Great Depression, Mrs Warnes’ parents could not afford to send her to school.

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Camera IconPam Peake reads Queen Elizabeth’s letter of congratulations to her mother Nyola Warnes. Credit: Emily Ace

Instead, she became a tailor’s apprentice, which saw her forge a career as a haute couture dressmaker who dressed New Zealand’s high society for special occasions – including the daughters of New Zealand’s governor-general.

Mrs Warnes’ daughter Geraldine Peterkin remembers accompanying her mother to fittings at “wonderful houses” and said she had inspired her to pursue her own career in fine arts.

Camera IconNyola Warnes received a letter from Queen Elizabeth in recognition of her 100th birthday, which she celebrates alongside her daughters Pam Peake, who travelled from Norfolk, England, for the occasion and Geraldine Peterkin, of Bunbury. Credit: Emily Ace

“She worked very hard up until she was 70 years old – I think that is what has helped her to live so long,” she said.

Mrs Warnes married her first husband Phillip Hollis on June 17, 1939, with whom she had two daughters, Pam and Geraldine, and was remarried in 1982 to John Warnes. Mrs Warnes also has four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

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