We had an Eightieth Birthday Party to attend yesterday. We’ve known Maureen since we came to Tasmania in 2000. She’s a member of the Bennett Family who are the closest we have to an aristocracy in this part of the world. In 1983, her husband, Michael and his brother, John turned their dairy farm into Ashgrove Cheese and, in those nearly-forty years it has become a multi-million dollar enterprise.
The birthday gathering was at their daughter, Jane’s house not far from us. Jane was the company’s first cheesemaker and she has gone on to be one of the most respected business-women in the state. She advises governments, sits on boards and is a recognised high-flyer. I wasn’t sure where her house was but, following the sat-nav we came to a letterbox with several balloons and a big ‘80th Birthday’ sign. “Here we are”, said Marilyn but we were wrong; it was someone else’s party. We weren’t the only ones fooled; someone else was telling us they had driven in and had a drink before they realised their mistake. That story sounds a little too good to be true.
It turned out to be a great day. There were four generations of the family there and about fifty guests. We had a very pleasant time with a wonderful lunch. I particularly enjoyed the chance of talking to many of my mates from the time I was in the Deloraine Rotary Club. I haven’t seen some of them for a couple of years and they’re certainly starting to look old.
When we came home, there was a message from Jamie to say that he and a mate had been fishing at Georgetown and had caught 14 mackerel. We certainly live in the Land of Plenty.
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