Betty Norris, resident of Bairnsdale Parklands Care Community, celebrated her 103rd birthday on Monday, September 2.
Betty spent her birthday with her family which was followed by a birthday party at Bairnsdale Parklands Care Community
with the residents and team on Monday.
Her daughter, Wendy, provided music on the occasion, playing the harp.
Betty was a teacher in her younger days, retiring at the age of 65. Her first teaching placement was at a one-teacher school at Bungador, near Colac.
Teaching led Betty to Wonthaggi where she met and married Ron Norris in 1948, before moving to Bairnsdale not long after, where Ron taught at Bairnsdale Technical School.
After two children, Ron and Betty stayed in Bairnsdale until 1964 when Ron transferred to Shepparton.
In 1970, Betty and Ron built a house in Mooroolbark and Betty began teaching at Ringwood High School.
The pair also enjoyed travelling, trekking through the outback for a few months with their trusty caravan.
In 1986, Ron and Betty travelled through the USA and Canada with Wendy and family, visiting numerous National Parks and camping in a small tent.
When Wendy moved to South America, Betty and Ron took the opportunity to check out Chile for a couple of months.
After Ron’s passing in 1999, Betty decided to move back to Bairnsdale to be closer to her son, Ken, and his family, often looking after her two grandchildren.
She has been a resident of Bairnsdale Parklands Care Community since 2013, celebrating a decade of living there last year.
To celebrate her 101st birthday, the passionate Geelong Football Club member received a signed club jumper by Brownlow Medallist Patrick Dangerfield with the number 101 on the back.
A few weeks later the Cats
went on to win the premiership. Maybe they’ll do the same again this year.
