Sunbury’s oldest resident, Mary Whitehurst, turned 110 last week, celebrating her extraordinary milestone at Riddell Gardens Aged Care centre in Sunbury, where she lives.
The long-time Sunbury resident was president of the Riddells Creek Senior Citizens’ Club for 20 years and is an accomplished pianist.
She played the organ at Sunbury Methodist Church for many years and is still the hit of Friday afternoons’ happy hour at the centre, leading the piano singalongs.
McEwen MP Rob Mitchell sent special birthday wishes to Mary from Parliament, saying she now joins the ranks of Australia’s ‘super-centenarians’.
“There have only ever been 26 people in Australia who have reached that age,” Mr Mitchell said.
“Mrs Whitehurst, you are definitely on the money when you remind us that we have to try and look at the good things in life … you go out the next day and try to do better.”
When Mary was born …
- World War I was still nine years away
- Edward VII was the king
- Alfred Deakin was prime minister
- Fitzroy were VFL Premiers
- Australia’s population was around 4 million
