Nundah’s Mavis Radcliffe celebrates her 107th birthday

Read the story of one of Queensland’s oldest women, who has lived through two World Wars, the Great Depression and more. This week she celebrates her 107th birthday.

Mavis Radcliffe from Nundah who is celebrating her 107th birthday.

She has lived through two World Wars, a Great Depression and created a legacy stretching across three generations and 20 great grandchildren, but Mavis Radcliffe shows no signs of slowing down after celebrating another birthday.

The Nundah resident, believed to be the state’s third-oldest woman, will celebrate her 107th birthday with family at Luthern Services’ Zion Aged Care in Brisbane’s north.

Ms Radcliffe, nee Wolfgramm, was born in Brisbane in 1917.

There was some confusion about her correct birth date as her birth certificate stated May 18, but she grew up believing it was May 16 and has always celebrated on that date.

Born while WWI raged, she grew up during the Great Depression.

Daughter Beverley O’Malley said her mother was raised in hardship with few luxuries, like so many others during her time.

She was the sixth of seven children who lived at Petrie Terrace in the inner-city, but they also managed to keep a horse in the backyard.

Nundah resident Mavis Radcliffe is celebrating her 107th birthday.

She attended Petrie Terrace State School, leaving at the age of 14 to support her widowed mother and siblings during the Depression.

She then worked at a fish shop in Brisbane’s CBD where she met her future husband, plumber Walter Radcliffe.

The couple married in 1941 and later raised two daughters after moving to Fairfield.

Nundah resident Mavis Radcliffe who is celebrating her 107th birthday.

“Much of mum’s life was dedicated to the unpaid role she played as receptionist for the family’s plumbing business that was run from our home,” Mrs O’Malley said.

“In her 50s she enjoyed some prized independence when she achieved her driver’s licence and continued driving well into her 90s.’’

Nundah resident Mavis Radcliffe who is celebrating her 107th birthday.

Mrs Radcliffe credits her longevity to good genes, with an uncle reaching 102 and her older sister living to 97.

“At 107, mum is still able to have a laugh and has always had a keen sense of humour,’’ Mrs O’Malley said.

After a fall on her 97th birthday, Mrs Radcliffe moved from the family home where she had been living independently to Zion Aged Care.

She has formed many friendships there among residents and staff.

Zion Aged Care service manager Bell Chung said staff loved helping families celebrate such milestones.

“These birthdays are really something to be marked as an amazing achievement,’’ Ms Chung said.

“There’s so much history there and we love to celebrate our beautiful residents.’’

As well as two daughters, Mrs Radcliffe has five grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.