A Christmas to Remember
In a heartwarming celebration that perfectly blends the joy of Christmas with a monumental milestone, Mount Gambier resident Noela Hellyer rang in her 100th birthday yesterday, making this Christmas Day even more special.
Surrounded by family and friends the new centenarian marked the occasion with a heartwarming gathering on Christmas Day that reflected her lifelong love for family, resilience and the enduring spirit of Christmas.
Born on December 25, 1924, Noela’s birthday has always been a unique and cherished occasion, intertwining the festive spirit of Christmas with the personal joy of her special day.
“I’ve always loved Christmas,” Noela said, her face lighting up with the same youthful joy she’s carried for a century.
Growing up during the Great Depression, Noela saw the struggles of her family and community; however, she never let hardship dampen her spirit.
“Things were tough back then,” she recalls. “Jobs were scarce, and we didn’t have much, but we were happy.”
The third of four siblings, she was born in Mount Gambier to Ellen and Glenn Telford, remembering growing up in a time when life was “simple and full of freedom”.
Her father, a strong and skilled worker, moved frequently in search of opportunities, working as a sheep shearer and taking other jobs wherever he could. The family lived in various towns across the region, and it’s here that Noela learned the value of adaptability and resilience.
“My father didn’t have a trade; he came off a farm and did whatever work he could find,” she reflects.
“We shifted around a lot. I think Dad had itchy feet as well, but we always made the best of it.”
Her early years were marked by constant change. She attended nine schools as the family moved between Port MacDonnell, Moorak, Mount Gambier, Mount Burr, and even Port Augusta and Adelaide to follow work opportunities.
“By the time we returned to Mount Gambier and I went back to the convent for school in grade seven, I wasn’t much of a scholar,” she admits.
At the age of 14, Noela left school to work at the Woollen Mills in Mount Gambier, marking the start of a strong work ethic that would continue throughout her life. She also worked at Marist Brothers College in the boarding house and in various other jobs, developing a love for community and service.
In her late teens, Noela’s life changed forever when she met Ron “Rusty” Hellyer riding his motorbike down Commercial Street.
“I thought, ‘You’re a bit of all right’,” she laughs.
That first impression grew into a romance, sealed with advice from her sister Carmel, who told her to “stick to the redhead.”
The couple quickly fell in love, and after a whirlwind romance, they married in October 1942. Their happiness, however, was short-lived, as Ron was immediately sent overseas to serve in the war, just eight days after their wedding.
“It was a hard time, not knowing when or if he would come home.”
After the war ended, Ron returned, and the couple was able to start their life together, though post-war life presented its own challenges.
Housing was scarce, and the couple initially lived on Ron’s parents’ small farm in Compton. They later moved into Mount Gambier’s first Housing Trust home, where they began to build a stable life for their growing family, which included sons Maxwell, Daryl, and Gregory
In the years that followed, Ron found work with Bonds Tours, driving buses between Adelaide and Mount Gambier, and the couple eventually took on a new challenge: managing the BP Service Station on Commercial Street.
“It was a little place opposite the old Mount Gambier High School. Ron and I worked hard in the garage, seven days a week,” she recalls.
For over two decades, they ran the service station, and although the work was gruelling, it allowed them to build a life they had never imagined possible.
The sale of the garage later allowed them to fulfill a lifelong dream to travel.
From attending the Isle of Man TT motorcycle races to exploring the United States, Canada, and Europe, Noela embraced the adventure of seeing the world.
“I’ve seen a lot in my life,” she said.
“From horse and cart days to cars and airplanes”
“I’ve witnessed the arrival of electricity and the many changes it brought to daily life. Girls today don’t know how lucky they are. My mother washed clothes on a board in the backyard. I did too when I first got married until my knuckles bled.”
Despite the hardships, Noela cherishes the joys that life has brought her.
“We didn’t live a high life,” she said. “But we had family, and that was what mattered most.”
Today, her family includes 11 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren, a legacy she holds dear.
Noela’s life has also been touched by loss, including the passing of her youngest son, two grandchildren and husband. Yet she carries on with remarkable strength.
“I’ve had a long life, and it’s been a bit tough at times, but it’s been good too,” she reflects.
“Life goes on, and you have to go on with it.”
As she continues to celebrate her milestone birthday, Noela reflects on the secrets to a long and happy life.
“Be truthful, love your family, and always try to look your best, I might be vain, but I’ve always wanted to look my best for as long as I can,” she said.
Her advice for life?
“Be truthful. Love your mother and father, and never be ashamed of them,” she said.
And what does she hope people remember about her? “I’m happy with what I am,” she says with a gentle smile.
When asked about the secret to a long and happy life, Noela is quick to respond:
“There are no great secrets. Just live your life the best you can. That’s all I can tell you.”
Her advice is simple but profound. Noela’s life has been built on values that many can learn from – dedication, hard work, and, most importantly, a focus on relationships.
Over the years, Noela has learned that the key to a fulfilling life is not in material possessions or fleeting achievements but in the connections, we make with others.
“A friend is someone you reach out for their hand, and they touch your heart,” she said.
“It’s all about love, kindness, and being there for one another.”
On this Boxing Day, as we reflect on the past year and look ahead to the future, Noela Hellyer’s story reminds us of the resilience of the human spirit and the power of love, family, and community.
“I never thought I’d live to be 100,” she says. “But here I am, and it’s a privilege.”
Happy 100th birthday, Noela. May your life continue to inspire us.