FAMILY and friends gathered at Macksville RSL last weekend to celebrate the 100th birthday of Avis June Lynch (née Byrnes), known affectionately to all as June.
Born on 1 January 1926 at Bowraville Hospital, June is the daughter of Elisha St Clair Byrnes, known as “Dite”, and Avis Evelyn May Byrnes (née Mackay).
She was raised alongside her siblings Hilton, Keith, Daphne, Dulcie, Shirley, George (all deceased), and Barrie, now 95.
June’s early years were spent on her parents’ dairy farm on Bellingen Road where hard work and community life went hand in hand.
Her father had previously worked as a bullock driver during the cedar-cutting era and farming life shaped June’s strong work ethic from a young age.
She attended a small one-teacher school near the family farm until the age of 12 after which she helped her parents with the daily running of the dairy.
A gifted horsewoman, June developed a passion for riding her father’s “show horses”.
In 1938 she proudly won first prize for Best Girl Rider Under 12 at the Bowraville Show.
She went on to compete in show jumping and hurdle events across the region, riding horses including the much-loved “Hands Up.”
June competed at the Sydney Royal Easter Show which was a remarkable achievement for a young country girl of the time.
She also had a lifelong love of dancing, a skill taught to her by her father, and fond memories remain of attending local dances throughout her youth.
On 22 November 1945 June married Leo Martin Lynch.
Together they built a life on a dairy farm and banana plantation at Burrapine and raised four children Garry, Trevor, Dean and Jennifer (deceased).
In the early 1970s the family moved to Wallace Street Macksville where June still resides today.
After moving into town June worked as a cook at several well-known local venues including The Golden Emblem, South West Rocks Hotel and Beryl MacKay’s Bowra Hotel.
Never one to slow down, she also enjoyed competition indoor bowls, bingo, and later in life travelled extensively through parts of South East Asia and outback Australia.
June’s legacy continues through her seven grandchildren, Brett (deceased), Ross, Anna, Tegan, Tiana, Skye and Keiren, and eight great-grandchildren, Bayli, Wyatt, Zaylee, April, Paige, Charlotte-Rose, Willow and Leora.
The milestone was marked with a joyful celebratory lunch on 3 January, where extended family and friends came together to honour a woman whose century of life reflects resilience, warmth, community spirit and a deep connection to the Mid North Coast.
By Mick BIRTLES
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