Peninsula Village celebrates sixth 100-year-old resident
In an era when making it to the ripe old age of 100 is no longer such a rarity, a Central Coast nursing home still has an unusual claim to fame — it’s now got six residents aged 100 or more.
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In an era when making it to the ripe old age of 100 is no longer such a rarity, a Central Coast nursing home still has an unusual claim to fame.
Peninsula Villages recently welcomed the latest addition to its Centenarians Club — bringing
membership to an amazing six women in one aged care facility.
Norma Peterson, 100, joined other residents Dot Devine, 104, Edna Burt, 102, Biddy
Abrahams, 101, Mabel Laidlaw, 100, and Frances Dawson, 100, to reach the prestigious milestone.
The women have many a tale to tell having lived through the upheaval of WWI and WWII and the Great Depression. They went on to live through the reigns of 23 Australian Prime Ministers and changes in technology from the first motor vehicles to space probes on Mars.
But each woman has a unique story of their own:
DOROTHEA “DOT” DEVINE
Born, November 22, 1913
Age: 104 years old
“I grew up in Oatley and I attended Oatley Public School. I worked as a machinist making lounges and mattresses and I loved working.
“I married my husband Henry who was a hotel manager in Oatley. We were very happy and I have fond memories of our married life.
“We had two girls, Kay and Barbara and I now have nine grandchildren and I am not sure how many great grandchildren! Kay visits regularly and so does my nephew.
“I love doing all things domestic. I loved to cook, clean, sew and knit. I also used to play the piano.
“I enjoy reading magazines and watching TV. I used to play tennis and I still like to watch it. I like listening to Judy Garland and I used to love all of the novels by Bryce Courtney and Danielle Steele.
Quote from Dot:
“As one of nine children we had to do many things around the house and especially so as I was predominately raised by my mother as my father died when I was just 7. After raising my two daughters I also raised my two grandchildren from age 4 and 5 which kept me young and active,” explained Dot.
“I have always had a strong passion for reading and love a good crossword challenge,” said Dot.
EDNA BURT
Born June 14, 1916
Age: 102
“I was born and grew up in Lakemba, Sydney. I left school at age 14 to assist my family. I married my husband John in a registry office in Lakemba on March 3, 1942.
“John was a very handsome man. We moved to Miranda where we lived in our home for 61 years.
“We had 2 daughters, Jan and Sandra. Sandra passed away from breast cancer at the age of 49. “Before and after marriage I travelled to Canada, Papua New Guinea, the West Coast of the USA and Western Australia.
“I played lawn bowls for 50 years, winning many championships. I indulged in gardening also, a hobby my husband didn’t share with me.
“I have always enjoyed keeping active, from gardening and playing lawn bowls to travelling around the world. I think having hobbies is important for keeping your mind active.”
BEATRICE “BIDDY” ABRAHAMS
Born: February 24, 1917
Age: 101 years old
“I was born under a bridge in Warren when my mother decided to go for a swim.
“I was basically brought up by my grandparents and spent the first 14 years of my life either droving sheep with them or being fostered out when times were difficult.
“When I was 14, I was sent to a private school in Eastwood where I had four years of education.
“When I left school, I did nannying duties and then went into the Land Army.
“I started off picking cabbages and fruit before being transferred and put in charge of the girls and being responsible for organising their transport and caring for the horses.
“After the army, I became a cook at the Tressillian Home for unwed mothers.
“I met Eric [husband] when I had gone on a bus trip to Toronto one weekend.
“We dated for around six years before we married. We had travelled around Australia a fair bit and often came to Umina on holidays.
“I worked in David Jones packing for a number of years before Eric retired and we made the move to Umina Beach.
I loved to spend my days knitting, crocheting, watching football and in particular watching the cricket.
“I try to keep my mind and body active through hobbies such as knitting and crocheting. I’m also a mad sports fan and love to watch the cricket and footy so that certainly keeps my heart pumping!”
NORMA PETERSEN
Born May 5, 1918.
Age: 100
“I was born in 1918 to Rita and Peter in Surry Hills. I am the first of their two daughters. I have a younger sister Rhoda.
“Our family home was at Harbord and I attended local schools. On completion of school, I started my own small business sewing home furnishings, cushions and curtains.
“I married Lyle and we had two daughters, Karlene and Susan. Our home was at Double Bay.
“We later moved to Oatley on a large area of land. I started another business growing flowers for local florists and along with my husband we opened our own florist shop at Double Bay.
“Our second daughter Susan suffered from MS and 20 years ago, Lyle and I moved to St Huberts Island on the Central Coast to care for her. This was hard work but we considered it to be a labour of love and we were honoured to be with her in her final days.
“I’ve been living at Peninsula Villages for nearly two years after living on the Coast for over 20 years.
“I very much enjoy reminiscing about the many wonderful years spent with my family. I love it when we get to enjoy special music performances at the Village with some of my favourite songs.”
FRANCES DAWSON
Born April 5, 2018.
Age: 100
“I was born Frances Crumby in Scotland, a daughter to Emma and Alfred John Crumby.
“I had four brothers, Alfred, John, James and Andy and one sister, Doreen.
“My family and I immigrated to Australia when I was three years old and we lived in the Fairfield area. I attended school in Granville, finishing my schooling at Granville Girls High.
“When I left school, I went to work with my father Alfred in the family business of growing and delivering flowers all over the Sydney area.
“I enjoyed helping my dad and learnt a lot about how to run a business. Although it was a family business my mother stayed at home and looked after the family and the home.
“I met and married John Dawson who was in the air force during the War and then owned a toy and sport store at Kogarah.
“We married at the Church of England Church at Paramatta and went on to have three children John, June and Debbie, six great grandchildren and four great-great grandchildren.
“We moved to the Central Coast after my husband retired. After he passed, I moved into Peninsula Village.
“I have lived at Peninsula Village for almost nine years now and have been lucky to make many friends here over the years. I am lucky to have many people in my life to make it full and happy.”
MABEL LAIDLAW
Born March 15, 1918
Age: 100 years old
“I was born in Taree on 15th of March 1918. I was raised in Taree, grew up on the Manning River and went to school in Taree.
“I met my husband David McNab Laidlaw in Taree and we got married there then moved to Sydney. My husband worked doing bits and pieces, that sort of thing — a bit of this and a bit of that.
“I had three children, Barbara, Kay and John, so was busy looking after them.
“I have many grandchildren and am also a great grandmother. My husband passed away a long time ago and I miss him very much. I am lucky to have a very close family. I still have my sister Lene, who now lives at Woy Woy.
“I really enjoy the sense of community here at Peninsula Village and all the wonderful activities to keep us busy and happy”
Peninsula Villages Chief Executive Officer, Shane Neaves said everyone involved at that the
community aged care organisation is honoured to have played an integral part in all of the
Centenarian’s lives.
“We are very fortunate to be able to care for and support all of these
fantastic ladies,” Shane said.
“The ladies are spread between our various facilities which cater for all levels of care.
Regardless of what their age may be, the Centenarians stay very involved in our leisure and
lifestyle activities and regularly partake in excursions and special events which Peninsula
Villages offers all our residents.
OTHER 100 YEAR OLDS
When Molly Bonamy was born in January 1913 Australia’s population was less than five million, Canberra had not yet been officially named the Sydney Harbour Bridge did not exist.
Mrs Bonamy celebrated her 105th birthday back in January and still enjoys life.
She is a resident of Blue Wave Living at Woy Woy where she is the oldest resident, and thought to be the oldest woman on the Central Coast.