Gordonvale woman Margherita (Rita) Poglio celebrates her 109th birthday

Rita is possibly the oldest person in FNQ and has shared her motto “be happy with what you have” while celebrating a major milestone. Read about her life.

A FAR North woman whose motto is “be happy with what you have” has celebrated a major milestone with her friends and family.

Margherita (Rita) Poglio celebrated her 109th birthday on Wednesday at Pyramid Residential Care Centre at Gordonvale.

Her daughter, Anne Fapani, said her mother has five children, 19 grandchildren, 36 great grandchildren and 17 great great grandchildren.

“(Mum’s) secret to a long life is smile, be happy with what you have and try not to let things worry you,” she said.

On Wednesday, Margherita (Rita) Poglio celebrated her 109th birthday. Picture: Supplied.

Mrs Poglio was born in Ayr but when she was three months old she moved to Pawngilly, south of Mirriwinni.

After some schooling in Australia Ms Poglio’s family moved back to Italy, where she learnt how to read and write Italian.

“(Mum) had forgotten how to speak English but her love of learning and reading assisted her greatly,” Ms Fapani said.
“She left school at the age of 14 and stayed at home with her mother performing domestic duties.”

Ms Fapani said her mum married her father, Ermenegildo (Gildo) Poglio, at St Monica’s Cathedral in Cairns.

On Wednesday, Margherita (Rita) Poglio celebrated her 109th birthday. Here Rita is with her husband Ermenegildo (Gildo) Poglio. Picture: Supplied.

They initially started raising their family on a cane farm at Charringa until they moved to Gordonvale.

“After living in Gordonvale for seven years a shift was made to Packer’s Camp when a second farm was purchased,” Ms Fapani said.

“Many happy years were spent there and the new house they built is still part of the next generation of Poglios.”

Ms Fapani said her father died in 1983 but Mrs Poglio managed to keep her time occupied.

“Pastimes such as reading, travelling, cooking, sewing, knitting and crocheting occupied her time well into her nineties, along with a new social outing, bingo,” she said.

Originally published as Gordonvale woman Margherita (Rita) Poglio celebrates her 109th birthday