A GROUP of family and friends gathered for an early celebration for Bernice Ragh's 90th Birthday at the Killarney Bowls Club, organised by her daughter Rhonda Grayson.

Guests came from as far away as Townsville, Yeppoon, and Victoria, including great-grand daughter Rochelle and her three-year-old son Ronan, who met his great-great-grandmother for the first time.

Another surprise was Beverley and Tom Osborne appearing out from a hiding place.

Second great-grand daughter Dannikah came along with her father Dwayne, Bernice's grandson.

Unfortunately Dwayne's wife Karen and youngest daughter Jennah couldn't attend.

Along with relatives and friends, Deputy Mayor Ross Bartlett and wife Sandy, retired M.P. Dave Cory and his wife Margo, Tom Phillips and Nola Ragh also came along.

After nibblies, the guests enjoyed a two-course meal catered for by Mrs Sandy Bowman.

Bernice May Wyton was born in Killarney to Alf and Lucy(nee Kong Pow) Wyton on June, 3, 1925.

She was a good student, educated at Killarney State School, and worked at Killarney's GPO on the telephone exchange and at the customer counter.

Bernice married Arnold Ragh in 1945 and they resided at Acacia Creek.

Their only child Rhonda came along in 1946.

Bernice was a good tennis player, playing at Legume and surrounds, and later on in Killarney and at Nola and Harold Ragh's home court.

Bernice was an excellent seamstress and knitter as well as a great cook.

For 13 years she worked in the Killarney TAB. After that she obtained a position as a domestic and part time cook at the Killarney Hospital.

She became permanent cook and spoilt doctors, staff and patients with her excellent quality meals. She retired at age 65.

In 1984 she and Arnold moved to their new brick house they had had built on their property in Killarney.

Bernice has always been involved (and still is) in the community with Legume Anglican Church Guild, tennis, school fetes, dances, as well as QCWA, music and drama, Australian Red Cross, show steward, Floral Art, and in later years the RSL ladies auxiliary and the Killarney Bowls Club, holding positions in most of the above.

She was awarded the Australia day award in 1999 for service to the community.

Amongst the many greetings Bernice received were greetings from the Prime Minister Hon. Tony Abbott, and local MPs Bruce Scott and Lawrence Springborg, and other dignities.

Roger Grayson, her favourite son in law was MC. along with Rhonda.

Rhonda went through a brief resume of her mother's life, regretting that Bernice's dear brother Lloyd and his wife Joan from Lismore couldn't attend as Lloyd, who at the tender age of 91 is a full time carer for Joan.