Doreen Ayres, who turned 100 last month, is used to getting up at the break of dawn.– Melissa Donchi
YARRA GLEN’S oldest resident has turned 100.
Doreen Ayres was born in Steels Creek back in 1907 and has lived in and around Yarra Glen her entire life. One of 15 children, she is the 13th and the only one still alive.
Friends, family and relatives across Australia came to pay tribute to Mrs Ayres in a ceremony at the Anglican Church in Yarra Glen last month.
While the Queen couldn’t make it, she sent her regards along with Prime Minister John Howard, Governor General Michael Jeffery and Victorian Premier Steve Bracks.
Not much has changed for Mrs Ayres in her hundredth year, according to her son Geoff.
“She still gets up hideously early and works all day,” Mr Ayres said in dismay.
Having grown up on a farm, Mrs Ayres is used to getting up at the break of dawn to milk a dozen cows by hand as well as complete other household and farm chores.
Mrs Ayres married in 1934 and had eight children, six sons and two daughters.
And the key to living a long and prosperous life?
“I’ve got a good family because we all get on and look after each other,” Mrs Ayres said. “It makes all the difference.”
