October 4 1915 may not be a significant date for some, but for Glen Innes local 100 years from that date was just reached.

In early October, Mrs Enid Bell celebrated the 100th year of her life with a birthday party luncheon filled with family and friends at the Glen Innes and District Services Club.

Mrs Bell assured me that she received no presents though.

“Because really what do you get a 100 year old,” she said.

Mrs Bell was joined by 95 guests and had a lovely lunch and of course a beautiful birthday cake.

“The luncheon was absolutely lovely, it was so well organised up at the club.”

The guests included some of the 9 children, 2 step children, 25 grandchildren, 56 great children and 28 great great grandchildren from throughout NSW and Queensland.

“There was plenty of friends and rellies here,” Mrs Bell said.

“I’ve always had a good and loving family.

“Everyone is always ringing me up.”

The family put together photo collages of the past 100 years for the luncheon, which by the looks of things definitely have been jam packed with stories.

Several of the stories she wouldn’t tell though as they “wouldn’t be suitable to print.”

Mrs Bell’s 100 birthday celebrations continued over the weekend as an open house for family and friends and many cups of tea shared over a few of the past’s best stories.

“It’s just been bedlam up here,” she said.

“There’s one lot (of relatives) to go.”

Mrs Bell’s children are scattered around, with several still in Glen Innes and others spread from Harvey Bay to Scone.

After 100 years, there’s been many a tale and many a career change.

Some of the most memorable jobs have been pea picking, general rural work and of course her own catering business.

“I just thought I’d have to cook, it was something I could do,” she said.

“You didn’t need certificates and stuff like you do now.

“But all my kids can cook now too.”

There have been other journeys such as a fish shop and a bed and breakfast, but one of the most passionate jobs she had acquired was being a hostel supervisor working with children with disabilities.

 “We would go in and manage a different hostel that was linked with the Endeavour Foundation,” she said.

Before retirement Mrs Bell had been involved with arts and crafts but retiring allowed her more time to be involved with them.

“I made cards for a while,” she said.

“But I never got into sewing.”

“I also did wood carving with my husband.”

Mrs Bell has a large collection of wood carvings and in particular bird carvings, which she said she could never do the faces correctly.

“Wood is just so much warmer to work with.”

Another passion of Mrs Bell’s is genealogy; she started researching her family at age 76 and there are several volumes of research stashed away in one of the bottom cupboards in the lounge room.

“The boys were asking me questions,” she said.

“But I didn’t find any scandals so that was good”

The research led to two different family reunions which she recalled were a great success.

“I’ve passed all that on now though.”

Cattle showing has also been a passion and Mrs Bell said she loved working with the animals and winning shows against Inverell Competitors.

Mrs Bell was President of the Civilian Widows group for three to four years and has been involved with Apex, CWA and the senior citizens group.

But now Mrss Bell just enjoys reading a good book or two during the week.

“As long as I can talk and walk that’s all I need.”

As an avid broncos supporter Mrs Bell was excited to watch the all Queensland NRL grand final in her 100th year too.