Local resident Mabel Matthews celebrated her 100th birthday on the weekend, crediting her long life to being active, social and spending her spare time on the golf course.
Mabel was born in Boompa, 40 miles from Maryborough, and said some of her most-loved memories included her time growing up on a farm as well as her long teaching career and playing golf.
“My favourite memories include living on the farm as a child and growing up riding horses and feeding the poddy calves,” Mabel said.
“Teaching was a big part of my life, this included everything from running a one teacher school in the war years to then teaching for 19 years at Walkervale.”
Mabel’s career spanned many years, teaching at a number of regional schools including Noola, four miles from Brigalow, Monogorilby and Mundubbera before she retired after becoming pregnant.
After 12 years away from teaching and raising the family, Mabel went back to the profession, spending 19 years at Walkervale State School from 1963 until 1982.
In recent years, Mabel has moved out of her family home in Thorburn Street to live closer to the golf course, which filled many happy hours on the green while creating lasting friendships.
“In my spare time I have spent many hours playing golf with memories in Mundubbera and at the Bundaberg Golf Club,” she said.
Mabel said she loved living in Bundaberg, having called the region home for more than 60 years.
She moved to the region in 1960 with her husband Boss and two daughters, Joanne and Christine.
“I love the simple life the Bundaberg Region allows for,” Mabel said.
“The people are very sociable and it is so easy to get around with everything being close and the traffic isn’t bad.”
Mabel is looking forward to celebrating reaching the milestone with her family and friends this weekend.
Other stories: Evelyn Bury awarded OAM for service to music
