Enid Hamilton: Beloved Stanthorpe resident celebrates 100th birthday in style

The former Stanthorpe Border Post columnist credited numerous lifestyle decisions for her longevity to reach the milestone, which her family and friends made sure was marked through a fittingly spectacular affair.

A former Stanthorpe Border Post columnist has celebrated her 100th birthday, marking yet another incredible milestone in the colourful story that is her life.

Born and bred Stanthorpe resident Enid Alma Hamilton turned 100 on September 14, celebrating the momentous occasion with family and friends in fitting grand style with three separate parties.

Enid Hamilton celebrated her 100th birthday. Photo: Contributed / Lorene Long

Mrs Hamilton wrote for the Border Post for 22 years, writing a weekly In Touch column for the Thursday paper.

Her daughter Lorene Long said her mother never learned to type, instead crafting the words in traditional handwriting.

“Her copy to the Border Post was all in perfect handwriting, she didn’t make mistakes, her spelling was perfect and her grammar was always correct,” she said.

“She didn’t have to type because her writing was clear. She used to say if they didn’t want to read it they weren’t entitled to read it.”

Enid Hamilton spent 22 years writing for the Stanthorpe Border Post. Photo: Daniel Elliott / Stanthorpe Border Post

Mrs Long also told the Border Post her mum was a woman of strong ethics and always kind and generous.

Enid Hamilton credited eating clean food, never smoking or drinking alcohol and exercising regularly to her longevity. Photo: Contributed

As for the secret to her mum’s incredible and long life, Mrs Long said her mother credited clean, healthy living.

“She walked 7km everyday until she was 90 or so and only gave up driving last year at 99 years because the car broke down,” she said.

“If you ask her, she’d say, ‘The way to get to 100 is to keep breathing’.”

Tennis and golf were Mrs Hamilton’s favourite sports, winning the Stanthorpe Singles Championship 13 years in a row, before meeting her husband Jack Hamilton, with whom she played mixed doubles.

Since stepping away from coaching and playing sport, her passion now lies in gardening.

“She had the best garden in the street for a long time,” Mrs Long said

Enid Hamilton (middle) celebrates her 100th birthday with school friends Val White and Pearl Butler at one of her three birthday parties. Photo: Contributed / Jo Bridgwater

Mrs Hamilton went to Thulimbah State School and grew up during the great Depression.

Later in life she dedicated her time to volunteering in the community through coaching tennis and golf, and was a patron of the Stanthorpe Historical Society.

Mrs Hamilton was the second eldest of four siblings and is sister to Stan, Laurie and Irene Halloran.

She is mother to Denis, Jill, Jennifer and Lorene, and has five grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.

Originally published as Enid Hamilton: Beloved Stanthorpe resident celebrates 100th birthday in style