LONG-time Swan Hill resident Edna Palmer recently celebrated her 90th birthday, surrounded by the family she holds so dear.
Born on July 5, 1935 in a miner’s cottage in Creswick, Edna was the only child of David and Ida Smith.
Her early life was shaped by her father’s military service.
When he was stationed in Alice Springs during World War II, Edna and her mother joined him.
But after the bombing of Darwin in 1942, they returned to Ballarat.
Following the war, the family moved to Bullarook before relocating to Nyah in 1949 for a warmer climate due to her father’s ill health.
Edna’s first job was helping run the local post office that had been taken over by her parents.
In 1952, she began work as a nurse’s aide at Swan Hill Hospital, later completing her training in Bendigo and qualifying as a nurse in 1956.
She became a night supervisor before resigning in 1975.
Edna married Ron Palmer in 1957.
Together they built their home on Drummond Street in Swan Hill and raised three sons; Greg, Stephen, and Glenn.
They went on to co-own the well-known Palmer and Verlin hardware store from 1974 to 1990.
“It was that kind of traditional hardware store where you could always find what you needed,” Glenn Palmer said.
He said his mother was deeply involved in community life.
“She served on countless committees and volunteered with Meals on Wheels, the Blood Bank, the hospital op-shop, and the Swan Hill Health Ladies Association,” he said.
“She was also a passionate member of the Swan Hill Lawn Tennis Club, Donnington and Murray Downs Golf Clubs, and even scored a hole-in-one.”
After retiring, Edna and Ron travelled throughout Australia, with highlights including trips to Fitzroy Island, Norfolk Island, and New Zealand.
They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with family in Bright.
Following Ron’s passing in 2011, Edna continued to travel, garden, paint, and stay closely connected with her growing family, which now includes nine grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
“She’s been such a steady and loving presence in all of our lives,” Edna’s daughter-in-law Bev Palmer said.
Her 90th birthday was marked with a seafood dinner with her sons and their wives.
A larger celebration with grandchildren and great-grandchildren is planned later this month
Though she now lives in Melbourne, Edna’s years of dedication to Swan Hill through healthcare, sport, business, and community service leave a lasting legacy.
“All her family cherish her very much and wish her the happiest 90th birthday,” Bev said.
