Ellen Dawn “Nessie” Birchley was born on 30th July, 1936 and passed away on 8th July, 2023.
Aged 86 Years. Late of Bundaberg and formerly of Ubobo and Canberra. Passed away peacefully in Bundaberg on July 8th, 2023. Loved sister & sister-in-law of Ian & Pat Birchley, Mova & Barrie Hines, Terry & Carmel Birchley, Clorine & Kevin Walsh (both dec’d), and Hudson (dec’d) & Brenda Birchley. A much loved aunt, great-aunt, & great-great-aunt of their respective families. Dearly loved & loving guardian of Vince Damiano.
Relatives and friends of Nessie and her family are respectfully invited to attend her Funeral Service to be held at The Chapel, ‘Branyan Gardens’, Cummins Road, Branyan on Wednesday, July 19th, 2023 at 10:00am.
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Nessie was Dad’s executive assistant and doorkeeper for decades on the Federal Court and then on the High Court of Australia. No one – judge or family – got access to Dad in chambers, except through Nessie. She protected him fiercely and loyally, and took no nonsense from anyone. One day she even told the Chief Justice that he couldn’t go into Dad’s chambers because he was busy! She was so efficient and an expert at breaking in the new, very bright associates. After Dad’s retirement, they remained good friends. Hard working, honest, reliable, Nessie was a person of the highest integrity committed to the finest tradition of true public service. She always enjoyed a joke and there were always flowers on the sideboard. May she rest in peace.
to my dear Aunty…..Nessie. Although we never had a whole lot of time together over the years….i always thought of you as a loved part of our family, dad’s little sister, and mum’s loved lifetime sister-in-law….with a stoic manner yet a warm heart & great sense of humor. you will be missed…. with love..RIP…Kim, Charlie & Family xxx
Aunty Nessie, Sorry that we did not catch up with you after you moved to Bundaberg. The time we had with you was sparse but remembered fondly. I remember one piece of wisdom “You should make sure of the return of capiital, not just the return on capital”, practical as usual. Nessie was my Godmother and will be messed by all. Rest in Peace. Peter & Karen Walsh.
Beautiful Service. I will always keep Nessie in my thoughts and now time for a ‘coffee’.
Beautiful Service, thank you to family and friends.
I have known Nessie, since she came to Canberra. She will always be in my thoughts and prayers.
Beautiful Service. Nessie will remain in my thoughts and prayers.
I first met Nessie over 40 years ago when we both arrived in Canberra to work in the Public Service. We were both staying at the Gowrie Hostel at the time. Nessie has been a very good friend and I always enjoyed meeting up with her.
Sincerest sympathy to all Nessie’s family and friends.
Beautiful Service
Although the times I saw Aunty Nessie after my move to New Zealand were relatively few & far between, I always enjoyed catching up with her on the Gold Coast while she wintered over. I still have the linked fan bracelet she brought back from Spain for me when I was a little girl, & have been wearing it constantly this past week or so. How strange that, after the funeral service today, it caught on a loose thread on my jacket & came apart – not broken, I hasten to add. Nessie’s independence & career choices were a great example to the next generation of women.