Birthday girl in city celebration

Andrew Mathieson
AUSTRALIA Day was for all Australians but Grovedale’s Beatrice Polley received a personal invitation to Geelong’s waterfront celebrations.
Ms Polley wasn’t on the invitation list just because her birthday is January 26 but because the 98-year-old was special guest of honour at the city’s celebrations for the national holiday.
Mayor John Mitchell considered her presence such an honour that he broke into song in front of hundreds on Geelong’s waterfront to belt out a chorus of “Happy Birthday”.
On the day when a blue sky and a hint of white cloud resembled the Southern Cross on the national flag, Ms Polley politely smiled and waved like royalty to onlookers.
“I didn’t expected to be treated like this,” she said.
“It’s just another day for me – I guess Australia Day is more important.”
One of 27 new Australians at the day’s citizenship ceremony, Lothamathi Narayanasamy, knelt next to the Grovedale resident’s wheelchair for a photograph.
“It is very special for her to come on this day and spend time with us,” Ms Narayanasamy said.
“I really just wanted a photograph with her.”
Ms Polley is the third oldest Australia Day baby alive in the country.