AUTUM Lodge resident Clare Mainey has officially joined an extraordinary group of Australians, celebrating her 100th birthday and becoming the Nambucca Valley’s latest centenarian.
Mrs Mainey, affectionately known as Marie, marked the milestone with a joyful celebration surrounded by family and friends at the Blue Gum Café Restaurant on Wednesday, 14 January.
The occasion featured heartfelt speeches from her son, Richard Mainey, and Nambucca Valley Mayor Gary Lee, along with the sharing of congratulatory messages from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, King Charles III, and Federal Member for Cowper, Pat Conaghan.
Mayor Lee reflected on Mrs Mainey’s remarkable life, telling guests she was born at Kempsey Private Hospital on 14 January 1926 and grew up on Wilson Road at Bowraville. As a teenager, she earned a scholarship to study business in Sydney before returning to the Valley, where she met her future husband, Ted Mainey, at a local dance.
The couple married and spent 50 years farming at South Bank, Taylors Arm, running a dairy and growing bananas and beans.
“I congratulate you on reaching this remarkable milestone, Clare,” Mayor Lee said.
“I am starting a 100 Club, and I would like to present you with this certificate and a copy of Precious Memories of the Nambucca Valley, compiled by David Dunne.”
Son Richard Mainey put the achievement into perspective, explaining just how rare it is to reach 100 years of age.
He said that of Australians born in 1926 who reach their centenary, there are only about 7,000 people nationwide, representing roughly 0.26 per cent of the population.
He also noted that since his mother was born, Australia has had 24 Prime Ministers and only eight popes.
Addressing the often-asked question of what makes a centenarian, Richard suggested a combination of lifestyle, environment and biology.
He said his mother benefited from strong genetics and lived a healthy life, never drinking or smoking and practising moderation.
Also attending the celebration was Richard’s younger sister, Sharon Cooper, along with Clare’s four grandchildren and around 40 family members and friends who gathered to honour her life and legacy.
Clare now resides at Autumn Lodge in Macksville.
Staff helped make the day extra special by arranging for her hairdresser to visit, and Autumn Lodge General Manager Joanne Parry presented Clare with a beautiful bouquet of flowers to mark the occasion.
Surrounded by love, laughter and memories spanning a century, Clare Mainey’s 100th birthday was a fitting celebration of a life well lived.
By Mick BIRTLES
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