Lakes Entrance resident Isobell Barnetby celebrated her 90th birthday last weekend, welcoming 120 guests to a large marquee on the family property at Kalimna.
Friends and family travelled from far and wide to be with her on the special occasion. Her two sons, Noel and Neville, and daughter Jacqueline, daughters-in-law Leigh and Wendy, son-in-law Terry, her great-grandchildren and all her grandchildren, except two who are travelling overseas, all helped to make it a special event.
Isobell was born in Bairnsdale in 1935 to Arthur and Molly Christmas, of Metung. She attended Metung Primary School and Bairnsdale High School until the age of 16 and a half she left school to become a nanny for the Coxes, who were the Cox Plate owners, in Metung.
She married Jack Barnetby at
the age of 19 and moved to Kalimna West, where together they cleared 10 acres and built their home.
While having their three children, Isobell worked at her parents’ fruit and vegetable shop in Metung for five years, then as a nanny for the Arceri family of Lakes Entrance.
Isobell has always been active and a member of various sporting clubs, including Metung Badminton Club, Metung Bowls Club, Swan Reach Tennis Club and Lakes Entrance Golf Club.
She is a current committee member of the Bumberah Cemetery, where she has had a rose garden named in her honour.
Isobell has been a valued member of St Nicholas Lakes Entrance Opportunity Shop for the past 16 years and is still volunteering three days per week.
Isobell has an amazing green thumb, to which her beautiful garden is a testament.
More photos page 5.
