Sarah Patricia Blackburn celebrates 100th birthday after long career as foster carer
A compassionate Territorian who cared for about 350 children in her lifetime is set to celebrate her 100th birthday. See the photos of her life over the years.
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Long-term Territorian Sarah Patricia Blackburn has big plans to celebrate her 100th birthday surrounded by family and friends.
The almost-centenarian will commemorate the milestone on February 1 with her children.
The Yorkshire-born woman is the youngest of 13 siblings.
The now-Territorian relocated to Australia in 1952, where she soon became a house mother.
The centenarian said she cared for about 350 children throughout her career.
At one stage, Ms Blackburn cared for 20 children in Tambling House, Darwin.
Ms Blackburn said one of the children she fostered was her young nephew.
“He was put into a children’s home, and it took me three weeks to get him out,” she said.
“I went to the solicitors and we got signatures from the father, and I could take him.
“I had him until he was 16.”
Ms Blackburn worked on buses before her role as a house mother.
She said she took on the new role because it was “something different”.
“I was shipped off to Katherine in a nice, new house that had three levels,” she said.
“The first six years, I didn’t get a wage.
“They gave you the house and electricity, and they pay for everything that’s needed for the children.
“Then, one of the government people, he came and saw me and told me it wasn’t right.
“After that, I got a wage too.”
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Originally published as Sarah Patricia Blackburn celebrates 100th birthday after long career as foster carer
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