Here is the text of a notice printed in a newspaper  on 28th March 1935 concerning the wife of one of my Australian cousins. Mrs Alec Thomson was born Marion Laidlaw Gardiner in 1845 in Cumbernauld, she married Alexander Hamilton Thomson, brother of Peter, my great great grandfather. Peter and Alec's brother John Fullerton Thomson also emigrated with him. I'd be pleased to hear from any of his descendants.

90th Birthday Today

Mrs. Alec Thomson

Chearfully looking into the future which she hopes will still hold many busy days for her, Mes. Alex Thomson, who will celebrate her 90th birthday today has always led a busy life and what she does not know about the bringing up of children of the last generation and the training of the modern child is very little. Her own 10 children are all living in Brisbane except one daughter, who is in New Zealand, and Mrs Thomson has also helped to bring up her grandchildren who number 27, while there are also 10 little children who call her "great granny".

Looking back on the eve of her birthday, over the years that stretch behind her, Mrs Thomson said that one of the most eventful years for her was in 1884, when she sailed for Australia with her husband and young family on the Chayebassa, arriving in Brisbane on April 9th of that year. They landed at Bulimba, which had been Mrs Thomson's home ever since. In those days blacks were camping on Bulimba Hill and there was a primitive ferry across the river, which was hauled from side to side by ropes. Mr Thomson's brother also arrived on the same ship with a family of 10 children, may of whom are still living in Brisbane.

Mrs Thomson was an active member of the Women's Christian Temperance Union for many years. Lately she had spent a good deal of her time knitting and has made several beautiful quilts her last one in cream wool, being destined for a Christmas gift. Mrs Thomson still enjoys good health and has just returned from a fortnight's holiday at Sandgate. Her birthday will be a day of reunion for members of her family, and will be spent at the home of her daughter, Mrs E.A. Woods, Queen Street, Bulimba. Mrs Thomson's grand-daughter, Miss Lilian Woods, will celebrate her 21st birthday today also.