By Esther Lauaki
Elvie McIlvena’s eyes light up at the mention of her family.
Elvie celebrated her 100th birthday last weekend with her loved ones in Melton, where she has lived for 22 years.
Born in St Arnaud, she is the eldest of nine children. She grew up with four brothers and four sisters and was raised by her grandparents for part of her childhood.
She married her late husband Randall who was drafted into the army immediately after their wedding at
St Arnaud Presbyterian Church. Randall spent four years in the army.
The couple had three children John, Ross and Norma.
Sadly, their only daughter Norma died as a child and eldest son John died in January 2016.
Elvie’s son Ross told
Star Weekly his mother has always been a “pretty easy-going” woman.
“She’s from the country, her family and friends are all country folk … it was very different when they moved to the city for work,” he said.
“Mum worked helping to clean schools before she retired but she raised us children.”
Elvie has one surviving brother, six grandchildren and one great granddaughter.
