The Lake Tabourie resident celebrated her 100^th birthday on Sunday, February 11. 

Joy’s family, including her two children, and many grandchildren and great grandchildren, along with several treasured friends all gathered at the Mollymook Bowling Club to mark the special occasion. 

Many of the friends in attendance were those Joy hadn’t seen in years and travelled from Melbourne, Dubbo, Orange, Crescent Head and beyond to party the day away. 

Joy’s family also made sure they didn’t miss the big event, with one grandson even flying over from Hong Kong. 

Joy’s birthday celebrations got underway the night before the big day, starting with a dinner at home with all her family.

Joy was born in Ashfield and spent her childhood moving all across the state. 

Her father’s job as the manager for railway refreshment rooms took them to many towns, including Blayney, Wagga Wagga, Harden and Penrith, before finishing in Newcastle.

Joy completed her senior schooling in Newcastle and soon undertook one of her great passions – floristry. She once decorated the tables at BHP’s 50^th anniversary with her beautiful floristry work. 

In her early 20s she met her husband Richard and the pair married at St Andrews Cathedral when Joy was 24-years-old. 

In 1945 their daughter Susan was born, followed by John in 1948.

Richard, an engineer, sadly passed away in 1992 at the age of 74.

In 2012 Joy moved to Lake Tabourie where her daughter Susan lives. 

She’s kept busy with her many interests. 

“I do a lot of craft – I used to make roses for Grace Brothers with imported paper,” Joy said. 

“I do a bit of knitting, I used to sew and I played tennis until I was 92.”

Joy was also a regular swimmer and took part in water aerobics. 

While she’s still deciding on how to celebrate her 101^st, Joy’s recipe for a good life is simple. 

“I told someone the other day I keep on breathing,” she said. 

“I’ve had a pretty easy life, I help where I can and I’ve always tried to be active.”