The Silver City has celebrated the 100th birthday of Mona Cole, with the Harold Williams Home resident making the most of her weekend by having a party with fellow residents and volunteers at the aged care centre on Friday, before being surrounded by family on Saturday.
Born on March 9, 1924, Mona has always called Broken Hill home. After leaving school, she worked at Broken Hill Hospital giving out dinners and cups of tea while minding children on occasions when their mothers were working.
Mona was married twice and had six children, 10 grandchildren, and lots of great grandchildren and even great, great grandchildren.
When reflecting back upon her life, she told the Barrier Truth the most important thing was family and she felt blessed they could make the occasion on Saturday.
“I’m happy, had a lovely birthday. All my family came here and it was nice,” she said.
“I love Broken Hill. I wouldn’t go anywhere else. I was born here and I love it.”
With pastimes such as knitting, painting, and making little outfits for dolls – including some prize-winning entries in the Silver City Show – Mona says she’s had a good life. When asked the secret to reaching 100 years of age, she said, “being brought up by my mother!”.
As well as receiving gifts and cards from those close to her, she also received birthday cards and messages from His Majesty King Charles III, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Parkes MP Mark Coulton, Barwon MP Roy Butler, and Governor-General of Australia, David Hurley.
