Mudgeeraba centenarian Gwen Cook turns 100 years old while in isolation

IT may have been a bit light on for guests, but Mudgeeraba local Gwen Cook still partied hard for her 100th birthday.

Gwen Cook celebrated her 100th birthday in isolation.

IT was a case of a tiny party but with some big love for a Mudgeeraba centenarian.

Gwen Cook celebrated her milestone 100th birthday but due to restrictions on visits to aged care homes due to coronavirus control measures, Mrs Cook’s big day was a small affair.

Gwen’s family was there in spirit – and joined in the revelry via technology – to help the Carinity Cedarbrook resident celebrate 100 fabulous years.
FULL DIGITAL ACCESS: $1 FOR THE FIRST 28 DAYS

One of Gwen’s five granddaughters, Lisa Wappett, attended a tiny party with a handful of staff at the Mudgeeraba aged care community.

CENTENARIAN: Carinity Cedarbrook resident Gwen Cook and granddaughter Lisa Wappett with a letter from the Queen for Gwen's 100th birthday.

Other family members, including Gwen’s daughter Janice Peters, granddaughter Nicole Peters and great-granddaughter Kaycee Peters, listened in to the fun and sang Happy Birthday to the birthday girl through a mobile phone on speaker.

“Thank you to everyone who has made my 100th birthday so special today,” said Mrs Cook.

“My room is filled with balloons, cards, flowers, chocolates and love.

COUPLES MAY CHOOSE TO ELOPE AS COVID19 RESTRICTIONS CAUSE CANCELLATION OF WEDDING CEREMONIES

Born Gweneth Cook in a hospital in Balmain on 30 March 1920, she was one of ten children – eight sisters and two brothers – born to her parents George and Elizabeth Paull.

During her youth in Sydney, Gwen worked in the retail industry.

“Before I got married, I worked in a handbag shop then I met my future husband, Herbert Cook. After getting married I worked in a dry cleaners,”

The couple had three children – Kevin, Janice and Chris, who Gwen says “can’t sit still and has moved around all this life” – and raised their family in Sydney.

Gwen Cook enjoyed a cake, cards, balloons, flowers and chocolates on her big day.

When Janice and her husband moved to Queensland in 1989 to “give their family a better life”, Gwen also found a new home on the Gold Coast.

“I lived in Palm Beach on my own in a one-bedroom flat. I used to go bowling, line dancing and loved playing tennis before I got too old to play,” she said.

“In total I have five granddaughters, one grandson and have seven great- grandchildren – six boys and one girl.”

During her birthday celebrations Gwen enjoyed a birthday cake and received a letter from Queen Elizabeth II.