By Callum Ludwig
A long-time Upper Yarra resident has celebrated an astonishing milestone birthday with friends and family at Estia Health in Yarra Junction.
Dorothy Cooper celebrated her 100th birthday on Sunday 3 December, enjoying her cake and presents.
Ms Cooper studied at Lauriston Girl’s College in Kyneton and met her soon-to-be-husband Stan, who was in the air force and fought in Papua New Guinea in World War Two, while young and they got married in 1942, when she was aged 18.
In a letter written by her family, Ms Cooper said that after the war, they built a house and lived for some years in Glen Iris, but the war had traumatised Stan and they decided to get away from the city.
“In 1950 we purchased a run-down, dilapidated farm at Gilderoy, near Powelltown, No running water, no electricity, blackberries growing through the windows, no insulation, a leaking roof and a ‘collect can’ outside the dunny,” she said.
“After a privileged life in the city, the change was a bit daunting, but we were young and it was an exciting challenge.”
At the time they moved to the Upper Yarra, Dorothy and Stan had two children Jenny (7 years old) and Peter (3 years old) in tow, while their third child Di was born that year, a year of heavy snow and floods that meant she was almost born in the milking shed.
Ms Cooper said they did what was needed and dealt with whatever life dished up, they coped and were happy.
“Milking twice a day for seven days a week, growing our own fruit and vegetables, making jam and preserves, making the house liveable and raising three children,” she said.
“The locals didn’t think we would last but we became through involved in a warm, close community and joined the church, school and community groups,”
“Later Stan was an Upper Yarra Councillor, Shire President and was on the Victorian Grants Commission.”
The Cooper family’s community involvement didn’t end there, with Dorothy and Stan also fundamental to the founding of the Upper Yarra Museum.
Ms Cooper said in 1972, together with a few friends, they started the Upper Yarra Museum at the old railway station when they heard it was to be demolished.
“I was present at its 50th anniversary last year,” she said.
“I have been at Estia for 10 years, it’s home and the staff are wonderful. I take life one day at a time and look forward to family and friends visiting and my next meal, the food is excellent,”
“It’s sobering to think that 20 consecutive lifetimes of 100 years takes us back to the start of our present calendar 200 years ago.”
As well as her remaining children Peter and Di, Ms Cooper also received a special visit from the principal of Lauriston Girls School Susan Just, who presented Ms Cooper with her final report card and 1939 school yearbook.
