Mrs Muriel Dick (101), of Resthaven Aberfoyle Park, has today received a gift and a personal thank you from the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) for her service to the country during World War II. Muriel was a member of the Women’s Auxiliary Australian Air Force from 1942-1946, working as a tailoress, as well as … Continued
Mrs Irene Dixon, 101, describes her time in the Australian Land Army as ‘honest, hard work.’ Now a resident at Resthaven Port Elliot, Irene is believed to be the last surviving South Australian member of the Australian Women’s Land Army. ‘It’s not surprising really,’ she says with a wry smile. ‘Many of the women I … Continued
Rushing through the streets of Adelaide in the middle of the night was all part of a day’s work for Miss Betty (Elizabeth) Leak, who celebrates her 100th birthday on February 11. A client of Resthaven Riverland Community Services, and still living in her own home, Betty was a deaconess of the Uniting Church, working … Continued
Turning 100 on 6 February, Mrs Lorna Kemp says that times spent twirling around the dance floor with her husband, Max, were some of the happiest of her life. ‘We used to go dancing just about every second week,’ Lorna says. ‘I loved doing “The Alberts” [a type of square dance with four couples]. We … Continued
‘It’s not what happens to you, it’s how you handle it.’ These are the wise words of Resthaven Onkaparinga Community Services client, Mrs Phyllis ‘Jean’ Croxton, who celebrated her 102nd birthday on 29 December 2023. Mrs Croxton, who was born in 1921, grew up with five brothers and two sisters in Norwood. She spent seven years … Continued
Happy 100th birthday to Mrs Aileen Hart, who celebrates her milestone on 4 January 2024, in her home at Resthaven Malvern. Mrs Hart’s daughter, Julie, says, ‘Mum was an only child, born and raised in Woodville, and went to the local school there.’ ‘Her father—my grandfather—worked for the Hindmarsh Building Society, and she was very … Continued
Happy 100th birthday to Resthaven Onkaparinga Community Services client, Mr Mervyn Roberts, who has lived a life of bravery, fame, and everything in between. Born on 30 December 1923, Mr Roberts (pictured left) grew up in Adelaide with his mother, father, and younger sister. His schooling years saw him excelling in sport—a precursor to the … Continued
Happy 100th birthday to Mr Albert Raven, who happily resides at Resthaven Marion, his home for the past 12 months. Born in Adelaide on 29 November 1923, Mr Raven reflects fondly on his first home in Oxford Street, Hyde Park. ‘I had seven brothers and sisters, and my father had a bike shop close to home … Continued
Mrs Gloria Merson, Mr Cyril Price, and Mrs Patricia Mackey are just a few Resthaven clients who have celebrated their centenarian milestones in their own homes this year. However, they are far from the only ones—and the trend is growing. In 2014, ten residents and clients celebrated their milestone birthdays—three of them in their own … Continued
Happy 100th birthday to Mr Lyall Ellers, Resthaven Onkaparinga Community Services client, who celebrated his centenarian milestone on 7 September. Mr Ellers was one of four children, growing up in Claremont, Western Australia, against the backdrop of the Great Depression. ‘Our father was a Great War veteran — he saw another war on the way … Continued
On 3 September, Mrs Patricia Bagley will celebrate her 100th birthday with family and friends, as she enjoys her seaside home at Resthaven Port Elliot. Mrs Bagley has always enjoyed coastal living; from the time she was born. Mrs Bagley says, ‘I was born at Brighton and grew up in Reynella. Sadly, my mother passed … Continued
On 30 August, we wish a special happy birthday to Mrs Mary Wilson (nee Blanch), who is proud to enter her centenarian era in the comfort of her home, with the weekly assistance of Resthaven Murray Bridge, Hills & Fleurieu Community Services. Mrs Wilson was born and raised in Adelaide with her parents and siblings, … Continued
On 24 August, we celebrate the 100th birthday of Resthaven Westbourne Park resident, Mrs Audrey Rice. Born and raised in Kapunda as an only child, Mrs Rice recalls her special connection to her mother. ‘My father worked away most of the time, so it was just my mother and me. She was the most wonderful person … Continued
Happy 100th birthday to Resthaven Port Elliot resident, Mr Raymond Dewey, who celebrates his milestone on 11 August. While Mr Dewey now enjoys a relaxing lifestyle in the Fleurieu Peninsula, the first half of his life looked vastly different. Mr Dewey says, ‘I was born and raised in Nottingham, England, along with my brother.’ ‘We were … Continued
Happy birthday to Resthaven Limestone Coast Community Services client, Mr Cyril Price, who celebrates his centenarian milestone on 3 August. The youngest of seven children, Mr Price grew up in regional Warrnambool, Victoria. ‘My father worked full-time on the railways, and my mother was busy looking after all of us.’ ‘We had a lot of … Continued
Happy birthday to Resthaven Elizabeth North Retirement Living resident, Mrs Gloria Merson, who celebrates turning 101 on 29 July. Having lived ‘many lives’ in her time, Mrs Merson says, ‘I started life on a simple cattle farm in New South Wales with my nine younger siblings. My father ran a successful cheese factory using the milk … Continued
Happy 100th birthday to Resthaven Marion resident, Mrs Jean Hunt, who is delighted to join the centenarian club on 25 July. Born and raised in the mid-north town of Port Pirie in 1923, Mrs Hunt remembers her childhood fondly. Son, Paul, says, ‘Mum grew up with her younger brother in the township, and had a nurturing … Continued
On 2 July, Resthaven Aberfoyle Park resident, Mrs Audrey Niesche will celebrate her centenarian milestone, as she looks back on the past 100 years with pride. Born in Manchester, England, Mrs Niesche grew up with a World War I veteran father, and a nurturing stay-at-home mother. Mrs Niesche says, ‘I was an only child, but … Continued
On 1 July, Resthaven Craigmore resident, Mrs Ivy Roennfeldt, will celebrate her centenarian milestone with friends and family at the Southern Hotel in Gawler, with 100 years of memories to look back on. Born and raised on the family farm near Jindera, New South Wales, Mrs Roennfeldt had a busy start to life. Daughter, Eleanor, … Continued
On 28 May, Mrs Joyce Thompson celebrates her 100th birthday in her home at Resthaven Malvern, as she reflects on a century of serving others. Mrs Thompson says, ‘I was born in Melbourne, where I lived with my sister and brother.’ ‘Both my sister and brother went on to join the forces themselves—my sister in … Continued