Beryl the staunch 100-year-old republican snubs birthday letter from the Queen
Beryl Nicol received her birthday letter from Thomas Keneally. (Facebook)
A 100-year-old Australian woman has shown her dedication to the republican cause, by turning down a birthday letter from the Queen in favour of one from the nations’ republican movement darlings.
Beryl Nicol celebrated her birthday with family and friends yesterday, and received a congratulatory letter from the chair of the Australian Republican Movement (ARM), author Thomas Keneally – not the traditional letter from the monarch.
“When Beryl turned 100 she didn’t want a letter from the Queen, so we gave her one,” the ARM posted on Facebook.
The movement’s fans have expressed support for the idea, and congratulated Beryl on her initiative.
“A centenarian letter from a leading Australian is a lot more meaningful than one from the monarch of a foreign country,” Chris Woodland wrote.
“What a legend,” another fan wrote.
Mr Keneally, the movement’s inaugural chair, said he was delighted to present the letter.
Other republicans have since requested similar letters, inspiring ARM to offer the document to all centenarians.
“If you know a centenarian who would like a framed ARM certificate email us at exec.officer@republic.org.au,” ARM tweeted.
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