Melton South resident John Bateson celebrated his 100th birthday yesterday, enjoying a day filled with entertainment and time with his family.
Turning 100 on Monday, July 28, John Bateson celebrated the occasion where he resides at Bolton Clarke Melton South.
Mr Bateson was born in Prahran in 1925, and according to his family, is passionate about the outdoors and relaxing outside in the sunshine.
While in school, Mr Bateson enjoyed playing sports and won the tennis school championship in 1938.
He became a fitter and turner by trade and then attended night school to later become a mechanical engineer.
He moved to Tasmania to find work, as there was a large industrial strike in Melbourne at the time, and it was in Tasmania that he met his future wife, June.
Marrying in Melbourne in 1950, the pair have two children – William and Marjorie.
Marjorie lives in New Zealand with her husband and children and was also there to celebrate Mr Bateson’s 100th milestone with him.
Mr Bateson and June regularly travelled around Australia together in a caravan, sometimes for six months at a time.
Bolton Clarke Melton South lifestyle coordinator Debbie Webb said that Mr Bateson received several birthday cards, including from King Charles, Australian politicians, and Melton council.
His family arrived in the morning to have lunch with him in a private dining room, and then in the afternoon, an hour-and-a-half music performance from group The Golden Girls kept he and other residents entertained.
“We had the table set up with him and his family so everyone could go up and wish him a happy birthday and see all his cards … he got them from everywhere!” Ms Webb said.
The organisation gifted Mr Bateson a teacup with ‘100’ printed on it.
Ms Webb said that Mr Bateson enjoyed the occasion “so much” and was still talking about it the next morning.
