Long-time Mossman resident, Dorothy Fewings, has turned 100-years-old.
Dorothy marked the unique millstone with a birthday lunch at OzCare Port Douglas where she now lives, where balloons, streamers, and cake have been the order of the day.
She also received the customary letter from the Queen.
Born on 25 November in 1920, Dorothy has lived in the region for close to 80 years, after moving from Maryborough in her early 20s to live with her brother, Jack Faulkner, who was a police Sergeant in Mossman in the 1930s.
She soon took up a nursing position at the Mossman Hospital before she met and married her husband of 45 years, Arthur, who worked at Jack and Newell’s in Mossman. Arthur passed away in 1986.
The couple had four children, nine grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, and one great great-grandchild.
Over the years Dorothy volunteered regularly for the Red Cross, even recently receiving a medallion recognising her 60 years of involvement.
She was also involved in the Anglican Ladies Guild, which volunteered around the region, as well as was in the CWA.
Dorothy’s granddaughter, Alice Kelly, said she is still active, always getting involved with activates put on at OZCare including crafts and bowls.
Many things have changed throughout Dorothy’s life over the past 100 years and Ms Kelly said growing up Dorothy would often tell stories of riding horses to school and having to milk cows by hand on her family’s dairy farm in Maryborough.
“The kids used to get so cold they would stand in the cow poo to warm their feet,” she said.
“She has seen a lot of changes in transport and technology in her life.”
Ms Kelly said Dorothy credits the secret to her longevity to having good family and friends always around her.
“She loves it when the grandkids and great-grandkids come and see her,” Ms Kelly said.
An afternoon tea at Sea Temple is planned for Saturday with most of her children, grand-children and great-grandchildren attending to celebrate her 100 years.
This article first appeared in Newport.
