Edna celebrates 92nd birthday

A local group of the Red Hat Society has celebrated the 92nd birthday of one of its members.

The Roving Rubies celebrated the birthday of Ms Edna Fowler from Woy Woy on January 26.

Edna has been a member of the Roving Rubies for the past seven years and officially turned 92 on January 31, although the Roving Rubies celebrated a few days earlier with a bikini pool party.

She was recognised in the group as a talented cake decorator and for dress making, including hand smocking, and special dresses for deceased babies.

More than 40 Roving Rubies attended the pool party at a member's home for Edna's birthday.

The founder of the group, Ms Marlene Klintworth, also known as Queen Lilimarlene, said she formed the group when she first moved to the Central Coast as a way of meeting people.

There were now 130 Roving Rubies, women between the ages of 45 and 92 who wanted to "learn how to grow old disgracefully".

Edna is an excellent example of the benefits of being a Roving Ruby, said Ms Klintworth.

She still lives in her own home and is fiercely independent.

She walks without a stick, still has excellent hearing, plays lawn bowls and has a golf handicap of 22.

Her three tips for longevity are healthy living, happy hour and good friends.

A little sip of brandy to ward off infection or a case of the nerves is a good practice, according to Edna.

The Roving Rubies have so far knitted 267 rugs to foster children on the Central Coast.

"Through Wesley Mission we have just about given every foster child on the Central Coast a rug," Ms Klintworth said.

The Roving Rubies have regular mufti Mondays for knitting and talking and also have lunch meetings.

Ms Klintworth said new members were welcome.

For more information email rovingrubies@optusnet.com.au

Interview, 28 Jan 2016

Marlene Klintworth, Roving Rubies