1936 babes gather to celebrate communal 80th birthday

These ‘1936 babes’ know how to party.

They booked three massively long tables in Billabongs restaurant at East Maitland on Tuesday for the celebration to beat all celebrations – and it delivered.

The 45-strong crowd were born in 1936 and went to school in Maitland. They have, or will, turn 80 this year. 

Marcia Wilks says reaching the milestone is a huge affair. 

Her 80th birthday celebrations went for three weeks straight, and here she is celebrating again.

“Why not?,” she said. “I’m a party girl.”

Some of them came from as far as Queensland for the party – and to reunite with old friends and reflect on their lives so far.

A 1947 5B class photograph from Maitland Public School had Edith Parmenter reflecting on how many old friends would never reach the milestone. 

The bright and bubbly 79-year-old, who is counting down the days until her birthday in November, organised the group birthday bonanza.It’s been such a hit that she’s thinking of having another before the end of the year. 

She doesn’t feel nearly 80. Either does Mrs Wilks. So what is the key to reaching 80 with such energy and enthusiasm?

“We don’t drink, don’t smoke, and we don’t run around with bad men,” Mrs Parmenter. 

Mrs Parmenter organised the party after she saw her old friend Les Bailey in the supermarket in February and they started chatting about his birthday.

Mr Bailey had just turned 80 and thought a communal 80th birthday bash would be a lot of fun. 

After he died the same day they spoke, Mrs Parmenter decided to make his vision a reality.

She placed a small bouquet of flowers on the table in memory of him. 

“Orchids were his favourite so I put one in there,” she said.

“When I found out that he died I thought I shouldn’t go through with it, but then I thought about it and thought why not?”. 

Mrs Wilks said the key to living a long life was to eliminate stress and not take things too seriously. 

“I’ve just gone along with my life, I’ve got 16 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren,” she said.“It's all about the way you treat life – make sure you enjoy it with your friends and family.”

Mrs Parmenter found it hard to track down the girls she went to school with because they changed their name when they were married.

If you were born in 1936, went to school in Maitland, and haven’t heard from Edith, phone her on 4932 8115.