Gwen turns 103

Today marks a very special milestone for a Uniting Mayflower resident, Gwen Wilson, who is celebrating her 103rd birthday.

Gwen has called Gerringong home for over 45 years, living on Werri Beach in a house built with her late husband, David, until she was 100 years old.

She has been visiting the town since 1957 when she and David, with her twin sister Jeane and her husband, built a holiday home.

“We were down here just about every weekend and all school holidays,” says Gwen, who has two daughters Janice and Judith.

“Other than being the family taxi driver, I didn’t have time for anything else, I was too busy playing bowls.”

Gwen and David (below) were married for 58 years. “When he asked me to marry him, I thought, ‘well, he’s too nice to let go so I’ll have to say yes’.”

Choosing community over the Berrys would have been a really difficult choice. We don’t talk about that story and we don’t talk about those black brothers, but we do talk about the Berrys.”

The artwork is painted within the void of the two cut outs of the Berry brothers marking the entrances to the town, or as Jaz puts it: “painting the missing black history that we don’t talk about.” She used rust to represent these two sculptures.

“It was a wonderful lifestyle and the kids loved it. They made friends down here and so did we.”

The four were founding members of the Gerringong Bowling Club and did volunteer work in the kitchen.

Her tip for a long and healthy life is an unconventional one; “I always say it’s sunshine – because I used to bake myself – and salt water”.

Although Gabby, the cook at Mayflower, believes it’s her bacon and egg breakfast she cooks her; “That’s how she got to be 103.” no one was around. I was just an ordinary run of the mill.”

When asked what her hobbies are now, she said, “Well, I’ve got an iPad”.

“I’m never bored. I do jigsaw puzzles and solitaire on my iPad and when that’s charging, I read books or I watch my electric photo frame which goes round and round.”

Gwen with her five grandchildren and nine great grandchildren celebrated her milestone on Sunday with a traditional espresso martini in hand.

Foye

The artwork, which was recently renamed “Two Truths” will be on display at Open Fields in Berry, which will be held on 22-25 June. by Brendon

As children, Gwen and Jeane spent a lot of time on the beach, where Gwen later took up surfing on the old blow up ‘Surf-oPlanes’.

“I surfed down at Gerroa, even when I was quite old when

“On my 99th birthday, Danny [at Gerringong Bowling Club] put this martini in front of me.

“Well, every birthday since, I’ve had one. I love them.”

by Cassandra Zaucer