Lucy Kelty, formerly of Gunnedah, has reached the magnificent milestone of 107 years, recently marking the significant occasion with family in Bathurst.
The proud great-great-grandmother continues to hold Gunnedah in high affection and received many well wishes for her special day.
At 107, Lucy still enjoys getting around and continues with her well-known sense of humour.
Lucy also maintains an active interest in sport, with cricket and rugby league a particular passion.
She also does her best to keep up with her beloved Newcastle Knights.
For the milestone, Lucy received 12 bouquets of flowers as well as many cards.
Lucy and her family thanked the many Gunnedah people who sent their well wishes.
With her late husband Merv (Mervyn), Lucy moved to Gunnedah in 1963.
Lucy and Mervyn enjoyed family life with their children Leonie (Webb), Kerry (Cushan), Murdoch, Nigel and Pauline (Clark).
The youngest of eight children born to Murdoch and Lucy Campbell, Lucy came into the world at ‘Oban’ Coolatai, 40 miles (64.3 kms) north of Warialda, on January 5, 1919.
In a previous article, published in the Gunnedah Times, Lucy remembered with affection growing up on the large property, where they had to be self-sufficient, baking 48 loaves of bread a week, milking their own cows to make butter, making their own soap and robbing bee hives for honey.
Their Gunnedah connection began in 1963 when they moved to the town from Peak Hill.
Merv worked for a short time at JT Fossey and then in the accounts section at McDonagh’s Department Store for many years before joining his son-in-law Al Cushan at Gun Soft Drinks.
The couple became very involved in the Gunnedah Municipal Brass Band where Mervyn was in the president’s chair when the new band hall was constructed.
He had always loved music and encouraged his sons Nigel and Murdoch to be involved, with his grandsons Peter, Adrian and Scott Cushan later carrying on the tradition.
For many years Lucy worked tirelessly on the auxiliary, raising funds for the band, while in her earlier years she had helped raise funds for the Royal Far West Children’s Scheme at Inverell and served as secretary of the hospital auxiliary.
Life for the couple took a different turn in 1995 after Merv suffered a stroke.
Lucy and Merv left their beloved adopted town to live with their daughter Pauline in Bathurst.
After 53 years of marriage, Merv sadly passed away.
Lucy has always taken a great interest in the lives of her family – her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
She continues to look back with fondness on her life, particularly the many great years spent in Gunnedah.
