Photographs of Ellen Rogers' 100th Birthday celebrations.

Ellen Rogers becomes Tristan's first Centenarian

Photos from Lorraine Repetto

Ellen Rogers became Tristan's first centenarian on the 5th September 2018. Her party was held on the 16th September, after the arrival of the SA Agulhas II, which brought those of her children resident overseas to Tristan for the occasion. Administrator Sean Burns, who also returned on the Agulhas, had the honour of bringing her a special Royal Mail delivery - a card from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth.

Ellen Rogers receiving Holy Communion on her 100th birthday.

Ellen Rogers receiving Holy Communion on her actual 100th birthday on 5th September, administered by Carlene Green.

Ellen Rogers with the card from Her Majesty the Queen Ellen Rogers with her goddaughter
Holding the card & message from HM Queen Elizabeth II Ellen with Goddaughter Martha Glass
Ellen Rogers with her Children Ellen Rogers with her grandchildren
Ellen with her Children: Back Row (L to R): Frank Rogers, Jenny King, Ellen, Brenda Swain, Jeffrey Rogers.
Front Row (L to R): Jessica Rogers, Catherine Glass

Ellen with her Grandchildren (L to R): Great Grandson
Leon Glass, Matthew Rogers, Lorraine Repetto, Ellen,
Sharon Glass, Lorraine Groome

Ellen Rogers with her children and their spouses Ellen Rogers with her grandchildren and their parents

Children & spouses:
Back (L to R): Margaret & Jeffrey Rogers, John & Jenny King, Ellen, Catherine Glass, Frank Rogers, Dougie Swain.
Front Row L to R: Jessica Rogers, Brenda Swain

Grandchildren and parents (L to R): Conrad Glass, Leon Glass, Matthew Rogers, Lorraine Repetto, Ellen, Sharon Glass, Lorraine Groome, Andy Repetto

Speech given by Frank Rogers

Ellen's son Frank gave the following touching speech that was well received by all guests.

"I would like to thank all of you for coming here today to celebrate with our family this wonderful occasion of our Mum reaching the good old age of 100 years."

"I think she is the first Tristanian to achieve this. I am hoping for find the secret so I can take it away with me."

"I would also like to thank all of you who contributed towards the lovely display of food on the tables. This shows what a special place Tristan is, when on a special occasion the community comes together like one big happy family."

"Also a big thanks to the girls who decorated the hall. I am sure you will all agree that they have done a wonderful job."

Lastly I would like to thank my family, especially Lorraine for all the organisation and hard work they have done so that we can enjoy a great party here today."

"What can I say about our Mum. Mum had a hard and sometimes difficult life especially when she was young. Often going hungry and having to wait for her Dad to come home to put food on the table. She was often cold and wet because she didn't have many clothes to wear. She would have to climb up the side of the mountain to collect wood for the fire for cooking. But our Mum was a tough cookie with tremendous will power and determination to overcome most of these difficulties she faced during her life. She grew into a strong young woman and married our Dad Cyril. Between them they raised nine children. My Dad must have been a busy man, I don't suppose they had much to do at night all those years ago."

"As we were growing up our Mum would often tell us of her struggles and hard times when she was young. She told us that life is not always easy, at times things can become difficult, but we must never give up. If you want something you must work for it, no one is going to give it to you. When we grew older some of us decided to stay on Tristan and some of us moved away with the same will and determination to overcome some of the difficulties that we would face in our lives. Now for the first time since 1963 we are all together as a family to celebrate this wonderful occasion of our Mum's 100th birthday. Before I hand over to Lorraine I would just like to say one more thing - no matter where you are in the world, there is no one like your Mum."

"Thank You."