Sunday 17 August 2014

Birthday fit for a Queen

The day we have all been waiting for (seemingly for so long) just seemed to spring up on us.



Suddenly the beloved whiteboard read "0 days to go"

Radio 4BC, our valued media partner, branded the front lawn


Ian Skippen and Loretta Ryan from 4BC  (2 of the loveliest people around) had a sleep over at Hanworth House the night before (we had SO much fun!) 




The welcoming committee was at the ready

The doco crew was at the ready

Breakfast was ready




The Grand lady looked pretty grand (despite her being 150 years young!)


 

I call this my helicopter pad and I think it is the bomb



Purple was the colour of the day

of course there were sashes (did you ever doubt there would be!)

All the big names came (we can only show you a picture of this man from the back!) Well maybe I will show you his face later in the post!

 

Hanworth House was looking pretty special



Sausages and coffee were provided for the visitors




and there were kisses and cuddles all around!








B "Manager of all things Eventful and of interest at HH" (his self-proclaimed title BTW) had a handle on all that was going on (the purple kilt was his idea, I assure you!)




We had lots of fun chatting on air





 

The visitors seemed to have a good time too





The talented Vanessa from Shesha & Grace gave a makeover to some of our old furniture
( Check her great website here)





OK I can show you his face now - we were so honoured to welcome the Heritage Minister Andrew Powell to our 150th birthday celebration and to cut the birthday cake









Even the cake was purple





Don't mind if I do



Meet V of HH - she is our new Resident Manager



and here is C, who was a tenant at HH for over 10 years when I bought it (I am not sure he quite recognises the place!)






















One of the high points was this painting done by my mother for a neighbour of hers many years ago was returned to HH (am emotional moment)





and here is a first glimpse of our new courtyard



This birthday visitor Katherine worked at HH in the past and a had a photo taken outside the room which used to be hers







There is not anything about the history of HH which this sashed lady does not know



and Helen Abrahams our local Councillor came and joined the celebration too



This  little dynamo made a lot of the celebration happen - thanks M




Superstar Tea Cosy could not contain herself and decked herself up in celebratory ribbon (any excuse for cake!)





Clare from Channel 9 turned up to capture the moment
Watch the Channel 9 news story here 




And an apt picture to end the Festival of 150 as a picture of our crew with the landscapers and builders left on site (not as many as the last 2 weeks but a fair few nevertheless)



Emotional day - exciting day - happy birthday to our Grand Lady. She looked more Grand than she ever had before.



Birthday balloons for the birthday girl

Don't worry , there are still 2 more parties to come - it was a Birthday Festival after all - you won't get rid of me this easily!

x HH

13 comments:

  1. This is a blog post of epic proportions. I listened to the last half hour of the radio show on 4BC on the day and was so excited for the big event. I wish I had been able to drop around to see for myself. I love the helicopter pad. It's such a powerful image, the big H. And I love that the up-lights on the columns look like gold detailing. Your mothers painting is very beautiful xx

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    1. It was party of epic Proportions T (to match the blog post) and there are 2 more to come (wish I had so many more hours in a day). Thank you for your lovely comments and support x HH

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  2. I loved finding out more about the celebration of HH!!! Thank you.
    One million out of ten. Xxx

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    1. I take your comment as the hugest compliment FF - the other FF would be proud! xHH

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  3. Wonderful! Congratulations on all you've achieved. The old house is looking wonderful, and you've had a great celebration to start off the new chapter in her life.
    So happy for you that you've had a piece of your mother's art returned to you as well, you can rebuild a building, but the loss of personal things is what hits the hardest. It's a beautiful painting and looking very at home in the sparkling new HH. xx

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    1. It sure does look at home Heidi. When it arrived someone put it in the office and it was so perfect - we could not bring ourselves to move it. x HH

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  4. How special a moment in your life, lots of reflection of the past an much to happen in the future an amazing story of a 'grand dame', hope you get time to 'catch your breath' thanks for the wonderful story of HH's history.
    Brisbane

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    1. Thanks Anon, Lots of reflection of the past that is for sure. Thanks for sharing my story, x HH

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  5. Wow,great piccys
    Looks fantastic,all of it
    Nothing wrong w a sash-brings the Miss Universe out in us all!
    Oh LOVE the heli pad & your Mums painting & well,everything!
    X A

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    1. Had a Miss Universe moment too A in that sash. I was in the Miss Australia Quest back in the day! I am sure I still have the sash buried somewhere! Thanks for sharing x HH

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