Sunbury local Eileen Palser celebrated her 100th birthday last week, enjoying a lunch and family gathering.
Turning 100 on Tuesday, July 2, Eileen’s family and friends marked the occasion with luncheon held by The Ladies Probus Club of Sunbury on July 3 and a family celebration at the Ballcourt Hotel on July 6.
She received a letter and certificates from a range of officials, including King Charles, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Premier Jactina Allan.
Ms Palser has lived an eventful life across several countries.
Born in 1924 in Belfast, Ireland, she was the second oldest of 10 children.
Her family planned to move to New Zealand, but ended up stranded in Birmingham, England, due to World War II.
Birmingham became her home, where she and her husband Arthur lived with five children.
She moved to Sunbury with her husband Arthur while in her 70s to be closer to family, where her daughters Lisa, Lee and Louise were living at the time.
Ms Palser said it is important to enjoy each moment.
“My advice to young people is to enjoy every day and look after one another,” she said.
Daughter Lisa Wilkinson said that Ms Palser is an active and sociable person.
“She just loves life and her life here in Australia with family,” Ms Wilkinson said.
“She’s been very sociable in the community. She joined the Probus, she still goes to ‘Fit as a Fiddle’ classes on Tuesdays and chair yoga classes on Thursdays. She’s very fit!”
Ladies Probus Club of Sunbury newsletter editor Frances Caruso said Eileen is a “remarkable lady” and that the club was thrilled to share the celebrations with her at the Sunbury Social Club.
Oscar Parry
