MAUREEN Shelly has become our latest centenarian, celebrating her 100th birthday on Monday, 12 October, followed by a special celebration with fellow Legacy members in Tea Gardens.
Reaching this major milestone saw her post box flooded with messages from government representatives and departments, senators – even King Charles.
Maureen’s parents met in England after the first World War and came out to Australia almost immediately afterwards in 1918.
Her father initially worked in the coal mines near Cessnock, and later her mother joined him with their first child, Maureen’s eldest brother, Robert.
The family was granted land along Warners Bay Road, upon which they built the house that Maureen, who was born in Charlestown in 1926, and her three siblings – older brothers Robert, Davey, and younger sister Connie – grew up in; tending their own chickens and veggie garden.
Maureen has witnessed the last 100 years of changes, including experiencing the Great Depression as a child, living through WWII, raising a family in the Cold War era, and transitioning through a vast array of technological changes right up until the present day.
“I worked as solicitor’s secretary, but got itchy feet, and went to Sydney with some friends for three years,” she recalled.
“I lived in Potts Point in 1940, but left the area before the Japanese midget subs attacked in 1942.”
Maureen had known her husband, Jimmy, since she was 12. As kids they had played together in the same neighbourhood and went on family holidays together.
World War II saw Jimmy join the RAAF. He was sent ‘up to the islands’. They were finally reunited on his return after the war.
Jimmy also worked as a coal miner, then in the service stations his family owned, including the first in Fingal Bay.
Maureen was always drawn back to Lake Macquarie, it seems.
She and Jimmy had one son, Noel, who now resides in Hawks Nest with his wife Christine and Maureen’s grandson, Joel, who eventually brought her and Jimmy out to Tea Gardens in 2008.
After losing Jimmy in 2009, Maureen joined the local Legacy group, which offers support to each other and the families of veterans around Australia. These days, she likes to be very independent
“I hated when I had to hand in my licence because I loved driving,” she said.
“Jimmy and I used to drive up to Queensland to visit Jimmy’s relatives.”
When asked what the secret is to a long and happy life, Maureen said that she was not quite sure.
“I lived a healthy life,” she said.
“I’ve always played sport, enjoyed tenpin bowling, golf and lawn bowls, and Jimmy and I loved crosswords – our minds were always on the go.
“When TV came to Australia, we always watched the news and quiz programs.
“A bit of wine is OK, too,” Maureen added, describing her bespoke ‘cocktail’ involving her favourite wine, some water and juice.
The dozen or so local Legacy ladies treated Maureen to a wonderful 100th birthday lunch at The Garden Eatery inside Tea Gardens Country Club, complete with birthday cake for dessert.
“I don’t feel 100,” Maureen declared. “More like 50.”
By Thomas O’KEEFE
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