E. Beatrice Riley

Emily Beatrice "Bea" Riley (née Ogilvy; 13 October 1896 – 15 May 2009) was a supercentenarian who, at the age of 110, became the oldest verified living person in Australia following the death of 112-year-old Myra Nicholson on 20 September 2007.

Beatrice Ogilvy was born on 13 October 1896 in Poowong, Victoria. She battled illness after she had one of her kidneys removed early in life. While she was young, one of her hobbies was horse-riding. Later on, she moved to Melbourne to become a nurse. Beatrice married Alexander Hele Riley in Victoria in 1926. They had two children, Clifford David Riley and Marilyn Beatrice Riley. Alexander died in 1986, aged 86 years.

Riley lived independently until she was 99 years old. She later moved to View Bank nursing home in Melbourne. In c. 2003, she was able to keep up with her daily exercises, which included touching her toes.

On the occasion of her 112th birthday in 2008, Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and the Minister for Ageing, Justine Elliot sent their congratulations.

Riley died on 15 May 2009 in View Bank nursing home in Melbourne. At the time of her death, she was survived by her son Cliff, six grandchildren, and fourteen great-grandchildren. After her death John Campbell Ross became the oldest living Australian person.