Avenel’s Ella Burt passed away on August 12 just shy of turning 102. She was farewelled at a ceremony at St Paul’s Avenel, led by Rev. Richard Pennington, of the Anglican Parish of Central Goulburn.
At the service her two daughters spoke of her many attributes, care and values Ella showed to everyone and how family, friends, neighbours, cared for her back.
Ella was born at St Arnaud on August 19, 1918. Her parents Mary and Bertram Chisholm lived at Berrimal.
Ella was their third child. Her sisters Vera, Eileen, Beryl and brother Alan have all predeceased her.
When born Ella was an extremely small baby, weighing only one pound and was not expected to survive.
In 1943 Ella married Frank Burt of Avenel at St Arnaud. They lived at Ruffy as Frank worked at a nearby property called Dropmore.
After 18 months they moved to Avenel for five years and during this time their daughters Kaye and Gayle were born.
They then moved to Fernside for 18 months then back to Avenel. Frank passed away in 1990 after a two-year battle with cancer.
Ella was very proud of her family, Gayle and Tim, Kaye and Kenneth, three grandchildren, Stuart, Prilla and Sally and three great grandchildren Tyson, Indi and Baya.
Her interests were family, church, gardening, painting and reading. She also did a lot of cooking for hungry shearers.
Ella took up painting lessons at the age of 80. She greatly enjoyed it and her bird paintings were very good, although she would not admit it.
At the same age, she went with her family to England and she regarded this time as a highlight of her later years.
Ella lived at Murchison Rd, Avenel until eight years ago when she moved, somewhat reluctantly, into care at Karingal Hostel where she had her friend Mona Burns for company.
Ella was a member of the Anglican church St Paul’s at Avenel, a member of the Avenel Senior Citizens, Country Women’s Association, Ladies Guild and Mothers Union.
She rode on the CWA float in Avenel’s 150th Birthday celebrations in 1988. Ella and her friend Mona Burns were also involved in Avenel’s 175th celebration parade, when they rode through the town in Bob McGrath’s red Jaguar.
Throughout her life, Carmel was like a sister to Ella. Mona, her family and particularly Anne Burns were constant supporters as were her wonderful neighbours, Karen, Trevor, Jeremy, and Nicholas.
Other neighbours, Nora and Pam were also a great help. Lastly, the wonderful support of the Karingal Hostel staff was a great comfort.
Ella’s daughter Gayle ended Ella’s eulogy by acknowledging her mother’s wide network of friends who were not allowed at the funeral due to COVID-19 restrictions.
“To Ella’s wider network of friends, on her behalf and ours, we thank you for the care and joy you have shared with Ella over such a long and wonderful life,” she said.
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