94 fantastic years celebrated at Carlyle Gardens


Betty Flower - Carlyle Gardens Retirement Village
Beloved nonagenarian Betty Flower has rung in her 94th year surrounded by friends and neighbours at Bargara’s Carlyle Gardens Retirement Village.
A celebratory morning tea was held during the village’s weekly craft group meeting on Monday and many of Betty’s friends in the village made sure to stop by and pass along their best wishes.
“I had a lovely time – it was wonderful!” she says.
Betty was born in 1928 in the rural town of Clifton, 150km west of Brisbane, and has since travelled widely and led an active role in her local community.
During World War II, Betty worked at a meatworks in Sydney and spent her free time volunteering at the St Andrew’s canteen, which provided meals for soldiers posted in Sydney.
It was there that she met her husband Ken, who was a member of the Royal British Navy at the time, and moved to England shortly afterwards as a war bride at just 17 years of age.
Upon returning to Australia in 1950, Betty and Ken started an electrical contracting company in the northern Queensland town of Tully, where they lived for many years before deciding to retire to Carlyle Gardens in 1994.
“In some ways, Bargara is not unlike Tully with the sugar all around and the beaches nearby,” Betty says.
Sadly, Ken passed away just six months after the move, but with the support of their four children, Betty settled into the Carlyle Gardens community and built strong friendships with many of her fellow residents.
Carlyle Gardens’ village manager Mandy Julian says, “Betty is a wonderful lady and is a breath of fresh air throughout the village with her warm attitude and community spirit.
“She has been an integral part of the Carlyle Gardens community for many years, and I’m so glad that we could all celebrate with her on this special day.”
Betty Flower and Dawn Jeppensen - Carlyle Gardens Retirement Village
Betty Flower with resident Dawn Jeppensen, who turned 84 on the same day

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