Mount Gambier lady “very” excited to turn 100 on Christmas Day

Noela Hellyer will be presented with a special surprise at her 100th birthday party on Christmas Day – a letter from King Charles, who the centenarian thinks is “quite attractive”.

Christmas Day has been extra special this year for Mount Gambier’s Noela Hellyer, as she celebrates her 100th birthday.

“She’s never actually had a proper birthday celebration on her birthday,” her son Daryl, 78, explained.

“So this year, we’re bringing mum to our home, we are having a Christmas lunch, and at two o’clock, everything to do with Christmas finishes. We’re going out onto the lawn and we’re going to have gazebos set up … just for mum’s birthday party.”

Ms Hellyer confirmed she was “very” excited, having insisted on handwriting the invitations herself to 90 friends and family members.

Noela Hellyer’s 100th Birthday is on Christmas Day. Picture: Frank Monger

She will be surprised by her family with congratulatory letters from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, the Governor General, the Queen and most excitingly, her favourite, King Charles.

She fondly remembers how a young Prince Charles had “walked right past” her when he visited Mount Gambier to open the Helpann Theatre in 1981.

“He was a young man and he had lovely skin, beautifully dressed, and he was quite attractive in those days,” Ms Hellyer said.

“I like Charles. Everybody knocks him, but I don’t. And if he doesn’t send me a letter, I’ll write him something.”

Ms Hellyer said she loves Christmas Day and would cook big lunches for the family, even on her birthday, before moving into St Mary’s nursing home in recent years.

The soon-to-be centenarian is already sick of being asked the secret to her longevity, declaring: “I just got here, but I don’t know how.”

It will be a double celebration for Noela. Picture: Frank Monger

It may be in her genes, as her mother, Ellen “Nell” Telford, lived to 97 years old.

Described by her family as outspoken, with a strong personality, she was not shy when asked to share advice for today’s young people.

“In my opinion, cigarettes, alcohol and drugs are the worst things, they’re killers. They should keep off them,” she advised.

To keep sharp, Ms Hellyer does sudoku puzzles and writes poems and reflections.

In one poem, she muses on one of life’s big questions: “What is love? Love is the goodnight kiss as you lay side-by-side at the end of the day, and it fills the heart with bliss.”

Noela at age 22. Picture: Frank Monger

She still remembers the first moment she saw her late husband, Ron, in October 1940, describing how she became “weak at the knees and heart all aflutter, thinking how nice he was”.

She married Ron in October 1942 at the age of 18, eight days before Ron was sent to fight in World War II.

She remembers the day he returned, in December 1945, as one of the best in her life.

Ron died 17 years ago, just three weeks before their 65th anniversary.

Ms Hellyer has experienced tough times, including the loss of her youngest son and two of her grandchildren, but her outlook was positive as she reflected back on her life this week.

Growing up during the Great Depression, she moved frequently due to her father’s work as a sheep shearer, living in Mount Gambier, Port MacDonnell, Moorak, Mt Burr, Port Augusta and Adelaide.

She worked on wool-spinning machines at age 14 after leaving school, worked in other jobs throughout her life, and ran a BP service station with Ron for 22 years.

After she and Ron sold the business, they travelled overseas in the Isle of Man, Britain and America, before building a large, Tudor style home in Mount Gambier – a far cry from her poor childhood.

“She worked hard all her life,” Daryl said. “From humble beginnings, they ended up with a fairly decent sort of life.”

Ms Hellyer has two sons, 11 grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren.