By JOYCE MARSH (WOODENBONG CORRESPONDENT)
DOREEN Downham, or ‘DD’ as she is better known, of Grahams Creek Road, Woodenbong, recently celebrated her 90th birthday with a luncheon held at Tom and Lynette Downham’s property.
Surrounded by the many family and friends including her son and daughter, Tom Downham and Glenda Stace, several of her seven grandchildren and loads of her 19 great-grandchildren plus visitors who came from Brisbane, Karratha WA and many locals.
The novelty birthday cake which was shaped like a teapot was made by Doreen’s granddaughter Wendy Fletcher and, not to be outdone, her great-granddaughter Katelyn made a rainbow cake.
Doreen is a much-loved and respected resident of the Woodenbong district and has been for many, many years and has worked tirelessly for many organisations during that time.
Her first involvement for the community was during the Second World War years 1939 to 1945 with fund-raising for the war effort.
Among others with the Rodeo Club from 1952 which then became the Woodenbong Rodeo Club Ladies Catering Committee in 1959 and Doreen was secretary until 1964 and became president holding the position ever since.
She has been president and secretary of Woodenbong CWA, president of Woodenbong RSL Ladies Auxiliary, president of Hoy Group, awarded Woodenbong Citizen of the Year 2012, she has also had involvement with local churches yet she will tell you her greatest achievement is being the matriarch of a respected family of the district.
