Don Stephens celebrated his 100th birthday last Saturday at his daughter Linda and son-in-law Luke Smeaton’s home at Lakes Entrance surrounded by family and friends. Don is pictured sitting (left) with his daughters Sarah, Linda and son Kevin. 
Don was born at home at Badgers Creek on the 30th December 1923, one of six children. Don’s family moved to Swan Reach in 1933 and Don has lived and loved the area ever since. Don went to Swan Reach Primary School but later left school at 14. He started washing dishes at Studmans Guest House at Swan Reach, milked cows at East Bairnsdale and carried out other farm operations and hay carting.  Don and his older brother Wes went bean picking for a time and later burnt wood to make charcoal that they sold in war time for fuel for cars. 
He was called up for Army service in March 1942 and after the war years Don worked for a time with Qantas in the Northern Territory but soon returned to Victoria cutting timber for pulp at Traralgon, then he moved to Casey’s Timber Mill at Nowa Nowa before he set up his one man timber mill at Swan Reach. He supplied timber from his bush block to local shipwright Peter Bury and to local builders requesting particular timber for local homes. Today, Don can still split a log for the open fire or crank up the chain saw, although these activities are not looked on in a positive manner by family members or his at home carers, Gippsland Lakes Community Health. His recipe for long life has been, according to his daughter Linda, a daily dose of brewers yeast and molasses, as well as fresh air and hard work. Don married Constance (Connie) Hoad in 1958 and they had three children, Sarah, Linda and Kevin. Kevin acquired Cerebral Palsy but Don is extremely proud of Kevin’s achievements throughout his life. One of Don’s lifetime highlights was his trip to England with Connie for her to reconnect with family. Although Don was not keen to travel it turned out to be one of the great times of his life. Connie passed away in May 2022 at 89 years, they enjoyed a great life together, living the quiet life at Swan Reach. Don has been a contributor to the Bairnsdale Advertiser over the years and this newspaper thanks him for that and congratulates him on his 100th birthday.
Don is still as sharp as a tack and keeps up with local and national news but today, Don is the news.