Vi celebrated her 100th birthday in early October with a morning tea attended by family and friends including some fellow Palmyra life members Basil, Geoff and John Smirk and Mal Siddons. She was presented with some flowers on behalf of the Palmyra Rugby Club on the occasion. Congratulatory cards from Queen Elizabeth, the Governor General and the Prime Minister made her day.

Vi was made a life member of Palmyra Rugby Club in 1966 and a life member of Rugby WA after many years volunteering in various capacities and in particular, running the canteen at Perry Lakes. Until recent years she attended the occasional match and function at the Oasis; The club’s Best and Fairest Women’s Player trophy is also named in her honour in recognition of her massive contribution over many decades.

The Bleakley family are one of the founding families of our club and the Palmyra Rugby Union Club would like to acknowledge the instrumental role they have played over the years.

Condolences to the Bleakley family.