Corby's birthday in a Bali jail cell
By CINDY WOCKNER in Bali
July 10, 2005
A TINY jail cell is no place to hold a birthday party, so Schapelle Corby wanted to ignore the fact that she turns 28 today, but a showering of gifts from the people of Australia has managed to lift her spirits.
Family feeling: Schapelle's sister Mercedes arrives with birthday pies, and the card Corby's niece Nyeleigh created for her Aunt
Ms Corby told her family she didn't really want to "celebrate" her birthday behind bars in Bali's Kerobokan Jail.
"She actually said she doesn't want to turn 28, she will stay 27 until she gets out," Ms Corby's sister Mercedes told The Sunday Telegraph after visiting and taking her some Aussie meat pies.
Mercedes Corby said that when she visited Schapelle late on Friday her sister wanted to thank all her Australian supporters who sent cards and presents to her at the jail, where she must stay until her appeal is heard and decided.
"She is a little bit sad because she really didn't think she would be spending her birthday here," Mercedes said outside the jail.
"But she is really thankful to everyone who has sent her birthday wishes and cards."
Some family and friends will have a sausage sizzle at a National Schapelle Day on the Gold Coast today to mark her birthday.
Her mother Rosleigh Rose will fly to Bali today where she will give her daughter a sterling silver watch and matching earrings.
"It's not right being in there and not having nice things," she said.
Many people sent angel pendants and angel charms and some sent jewellery they had made, or good-luck charms. One person even sent a CD Walkman, which Schapelle has convinced the guards to allow her to keep. "She keeps saying to me it has really lifted her spirits and she really appreciates it," Mercedes said.
Schapelle's birthday wish was "that she is coming home soon, the appeal will be successful and hopefully the witnesses that are needed will come forward".
Ms Corby's mother and her two younger siblings plan a family get-together with her at the jail today or tomorrow, depending on when they are allowed to visit.
Also present will be her beloved niece and nephew, Nyeleigh, 4, and Wayan, 5, who have made birthday cards declaring "We love you Aunty Pelle" and "kisses for your birthday".
The pair, Mercedes's two children with her Balinese husband Wayan Widiartha, plan to give her some music CDs as a present along with the cards, which they have made by cutting out pictures of bright flowers and sticking them onto cardboard.
The Sunday Telegraph