Friends, family on hand for milestone birthday

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.

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.

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.

“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.