Cairns woman Margie Munroe hits 100 year birthday milestone

Swung around by a delivery doctor at birth, a singer for the troops during wartime and a volunteer for the Red Cross – this Cairns woman celebrates a special achievement.

CAIRNS woman Margie Munroe was born in a little cottage on the Esplanade between two world wars.

At only three pounds at birth, the delivering doctor had to swing her around to wake her.

Now, almost a century later, Ms Munroe will celebrate her 100th birthday on Thursday surrounded by family and friends who have travelled across Australia to be there.

Her daughter Vicky Hicks was flying in from Exmouth in Western Australia — taking a break from her five-week adventure holiday that has been postponed for more than two years because of the pandemic.

“We’re on a four-wheel drive holiday at the moment, but I’ve organised to be back there” Ms Hicks said.

“The party won’t be anything formal, it will be a small gathering at the home, I’ll send cake and flowers ahead of time.

Family able to travel to Cairns for special birthday milestone

Margie Monroe will celebrate her 100th birthday on Thursday, with family and friends coming from all over Australia to celebrate. Picture: Brendan Radke

“She is getting a letter from the Queen on the day.”

Ms Hicks said her mother was a volunteer for the Red Cross for about 50 years and only stopped attending when she was 94.

“She sang to the troops in the war, that’s how she met my father, he was in the American Air Force.”

Ms Munroe, nee Hodgon, married twice, to American Gilbert Martin and then to Albert Munroe.

She has three children, eight grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren.

Ms Munroe is looking forward to celebrating her special day Infinity Care’s Edmonton Gardens on Thursday.

“I’m just lucky to have lived so long,” she said.

“I don’t know how I’ll feel (on the day). It would be lovely to see everyone. I thought I was 99 this year!”

Originally published as Cairns woman Margie Munroe hits 100 year birthday milestone