Birthday celebration: Hilda with her son David, daughter-in-law Jan and daughter Wendy. Photo: Jan Tottenham
Hilda Tottenham’s innings is still going strong after the Kyabram woman notched up a century.
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Hilda reflected on what life was like when she was younger and marvelled at all the changes she had seen throughout the community as well as the world in her 100 years.
“I’ve seen so many changes over the years,” she said.
“There was no electricity. Washing was done by boiling sheets in a wood-fired copper.
“Plastic was unheard of, lunch was wrapped in newspaper and kept in your school bag. Most toys were made of wood. We had skipping ropes, marbles and dolls, no Lego or computer games.”
Hilda went through primary school and, unlike many in those days, went to secondary school in Shepparton, boarding with an elderly aunt.
When Japan bombed Darwin in 1942, she was sent to finish her training at Yooralla hospital, which had been evacuated from Mt Eliza to Macedon.
She moved back to the region when her sister married.
Family affair: Hilda was surrounded by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren on her 100th birthday. Photo: Jan Tottenham
Hilda married Bob Tottenham on May 8, 1948, at Undera Presbyterian Church. They lived on a small orchard at Merrigum, growing pears, peaches and apricots, and raised two children, David and Wendy.
“After 50 happy years of marriage, Bob sadly passed away in the year 1998,” she said.
“I have a delightful family — David and Jan, Wendy and Vicki, Emma and Glenn and their children Harry and Audrey, Jeremy and Kara and their children Ralph and Daphne.”
Hilda has always been active in the community. She was a member of the mothers club and was associate president and, for many years, captain at Merrigum Golf Club, where she was made a life member in 1988.
She was also president of GVGA in 1985-86.
Hilda was grateful she was able to celebrate 100 years with those most important to her.
“I had a wonderful celebration at The Hub surrounded by my family and a couple of close friends,” she said.
“The family said I’m 100 not out and I have to make a few more runs.”
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