Mrs Rice celebrates 100th birthday

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 I had ever known—we were best friends from the time I was a small child.’

After successfully completing her intermediate studies at Kapunda High School, Mrs Rice went on to find employment at her small-town post office as a telephonist.

‘I remember feeling lucky to find work locally, as it was close to home, and I didn’t want to leave my mother.’

As a young adult, Mrs Rice met her soon-to-be-husband, Mr Trevor Rice, who was visiting his grandma at the time.

‘It was such a small place where I lived—you knew everyone who lived there. I saw this handsome fellow cycle to my neighbour’s house down the road, and he piqued my interest.’

‘It was World War II at the time, and he was a soldier on leave. We didn’t have long to get to know one another before he flew back.’

‘We wrote back and forth for a few years, but I’m afraid he was a terrible correspondent. He expected a long letter from me each time, but never gave me much to work with!’

‘I laugh about that, but he gave a lot back to me in person over the years.’

After the war, the couple wed at Mrs Rice’s local Baptist Church in Kapunda, her mother proud that she had met her match.

‘We lived with his parents for a couple of years, and had our first child there. I couldn’t wait until our house was built, and we could have our privacy.’

The family of three soon moved into their new home at Lower Mitcham, which became their forever home.

‘We had another child, and it was a good-sized plot. We loved it there, and still have it in the family!’

Upon retirement, Mr and Mrs Rice purchased a caravan, and travelled across Australia over many years before his passing.

Now, Mrs Rice resides at Resthaven Westbourne Park, only a few streets back from her Lower Mitcham home, where her son resides.

Mrs Rice reflects on her 100 years, ‘In life, try to work together, and you’ll be alright.’

Many happy returns, Mrs Rice!