Emma Pritchard

A much loved and treasured resident of the rural village, everyone in Glenreagh knows her name and the phenomenal work she continues to undertake to help preserve, maintain, and share the unique history and heritage of the region.

And now, it will proudly sit forever near the entrance to the Glenreagh Memorial Museum in Coramba Street after members formally dedicated their main room to Elizabeth “Bessie” Webb OAM in gracious honour of her countless contributions through the years.

Secretary of the Glenreagh Memorial Museum Honi Reifer said it was a very auspicious occasion as close to 30 of Mrs Webb’s relatives, friends, and neighbours, gathered together on July 20 to attend the special ceremony.

“Bessie has done, and continues to do so much work for Glenreagh, and the museum,” she said.

“She has worked here since the mid-1980s, and what we have here today to share with visitors would not be possible without her.

“She has worked harder than anyone else to get it to where it is today, and this is our way of saying thank you, and acknowledging her for her wonderful work ethic.”

Speaking on behalf of Mrs Webb, her son Peter Webb said it was a wonderful act of acknowledgement and generosity on behalf of the members of the Glenreagh Memorial Museum.

A prominent local historian and author, Mrs Webb recently celebrated her 102nd birthday and continues to enjoy an active role within the community of Glenreagh.

During the ceremony on the weekend, she presented her daughters Lyn and Jen with two family heirlooms in honour of the occasion, a sewing box which was gifted to her when she was 14, and a cheese dish she purchased in the 1930s.

Subtly wiping away tears, Mrs Webb said she was very moved to have a room named in her honour at the Glenreagh Memorial Museum.