Sarah Oliver
Bacchus Marsh resident Myrtle Kidd wasn’t expected to live past childhood – but this weekend she turns 100.
Myrtle is a resident at Grant Lodge, a residential care unit, where staff are hosting a party for her birthday on December 5.
Friends, family and carers said they are grateful to have the chance to mark her 100th birthday with a series of celebrations, taking into account COVID restrictions.
Myrtle enjoys a range of activities at Grant Lodge, including cooking, crafts, gardening, bingo and listening to music.
Grant Lodge enrolled nurse Teagan Schneider said advancing dementia and old age had slowed Myrtle down in recent years, but she said sh was still a “four foot 7 inch firecracker”.
Daughter-in-law Shirley Kidd said Myrtle spent many years working as a seamstress.
“She has been knitting and sewing since she started work at age 14,“ Shirley said.
“Myrtle would run to the train station and knit while going to work.
“As a seamstress, she was so accomplished that she would often be tasked with completing unfinished garments.”
Myrtle was born in Bachhus Marsh, the third child of Alice and Peter Gillepsie.
After recovering from renal trouble as a child, she went on to marry late husband Harry and have three children, seven grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.
“She loves her family and we are looking forward to getting together to celebrate her birthday,” Shirley said.
