Bundaberg resident Lily McLean recently celebrated her 100th birthday with well wishes from friends and family.
Her special day also included visits from her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren as well as Bundaberg Mayor Helen Blackburn.
Lily said she had enjoyed the day but couldn’t believe all the cards and messages she had received.
“That’s the thing, [my birthday] keeps getting bigger and bigger,” Lily said.
“I didn’t realise it was going to be quite like this!”
Lily was born in London in 1924 and she was old enough to be called up for service during WWII.
“So I went into the Air Force during the war and married a New Zealand soldier,” she said.
“That is why I came to this side of the world.”
Lily lived in New Zealand for many years and was an eager member of the Country Women’s Institute (CWI) where she honed her skills at embroidery and took part in the organisation as much as she could.
“I did so much joining in,” Lily said.
“I just liked joining in everything instead of sitting back, which apparently is not in my nature.”
Lily moved to Bundaberg about nine years ago to be closer to family, with her daughter Fiona living locally and her other daughter Lois based in Brisbane.
“I had to move because the girls couldn’t be running over with bowls of soup,” Lily said.
She now spends her days enjoying visits from her family and chats to her son who lives in England.
“I’ve got five great-grandchildren now and the oldest is 24 so they’re catching up with me!” she said.
Lily said she believed the secret to her vitality had been her resilience and getting involved in as much as she could.
“I think it has to be in you in the first place,” she said.
“Also because of the war and being part of the Air Force, that drove me forward and developed my character a bit more.
“Although I’ve got the feeling I might also have been a bit loud and bossy!”
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