Bolwarra couple Clem and Hilma Ellis celebrate their 90th birthdays within a few weeks of one another.
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Former deputy principal of the former Maitland Boys High School, Mr Ellis turned 90 on December 10.
Mrs Ellis, also a retired teacher, will be 90 on January 2.
They have called Maitland home for more than 50 years.
Mr Ellis started teaching in 1946 at the former Maitland Girls High School, then Maitland Boys High School before teaching at Wyong, back to Maitland Boys High School, then Queanbeyan where he was principal at Karabar a high school for three years from 1980-83 before he retired.
Mrs Ellis taught for five years at Maitland Girls High School.
She spent 20 years caring for her five children before returning to work as a casual teacher in 1970 for 10 years.
Mrs Ellis taught biology and Mr Ellis was a chemistry and physics teacher.
The couple returned to Maitland for their retirement.
“We love Maitland – the people, the heritage – and, while we are semi-retired and slowing down, we are still involved with Friends of Grossmann House, Friends of Tocal, the Uniting Church, garden club, Probus and the Independent Retirees Association.”
Mrs Ellis was a tour guide at Maitland Grossmann House for 20 years.
The couple’s children are all graduates of the University of Newcastle and have careers as teachers, an architect/engineer, accountant and biometrician.
They have 13 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.