Forty members of the same local family gathered for a luncheon to celebrate an incredible milestone: their matron’s 105th birthday.
Proserpine local Thelma Porter reached the incredible age of 105 on August 24 and was joined by five generations of her descendants for a birthday bash the weekend before at Northerlies Airlie Beach.
Mrs Porter cut her 105th birthday cake surrounded by her two children, 10 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren, and one great great grandchild.
“It surprised me,” Mrs Porter said of reaching the age.
“I just did it; it’s just another day, as far as I’m concerned! I had no say in it. But to be surrounded by my beautiful family who came up from Brisbane, that has been special.”
Ms Porter said people were always asking her what the secret to such a long life was.
“I lived a very simple life; I grew up in properties out west, and I don’t know what it was [that helped me reach 105], but I always tell people: don’t smoke.”
Mrs Porter arrived in Proserpine in 1949 with her late husband, George Porter, and their young family. The pair owned the newsagency and jewellery business in Main Street through the early 1950s to the late 1960s.
The family have been strong proponents of the region, with George involved in plotting the walking track rom Airlie Beach to Shute Harbour and was a strong advocate for the construction of Shute Harbour Road itself.
Setting up a kiosk on the Jetty at Shute Harbour in 1967, the family organised day trips, island bookings, and sold souvenirs.
Their son, Bob Porter, continued their tourism-centric legacy through arranging the first cruise ships to anchor at Cid Harbour, and even the very first Whitsunday Fun Race – a precursor to races now run in the Whitsundays today.
They are “the name that comes to mind when referring to the early tourist development in the Whitsundays” according to Proserpine Museum.
A barman at Northerlies told Mrs Porter that “she didn’t look a day over 92”.
Proserpine local Thelma Porter surrounded by her great grandchildren at her 105th birthday celebration
Mrs Porter cutting her birthday cake to celebrate the incredible milestone
Publishers Indemnity. Any individual or entity that places advertising, supplies copy material, or submits editorial content to Core Life Publishing agrees and undertakes to ensure that all such material:- Does not infringe upon any copyright, trademark, or other intellectual property rights;- Is free from any content that could be considered defamatory, libelous, or slanderous;- Does not infringe upon any rights related to privacy or breach of confidence;- Contains no obscene, indecent, or otherwise unlawful material;- Complies fully with the Trade Practices Act and all other applicable laws, regulations, or statutes.Furthermore, by submitting or placing such material, these individuals or entities agree to indemnify and hold harmless the publisher, Core Publishing and Events Pty Ltd, and/or its agents from and against any and all investigations, claims, demands, liabilities, damages, costs, or judgments arising out of or in connection with the material provided. All material is believed to be accurate at the time of printing and remains the copyright of Core Publishing and Events Pty Ltd.
© 2024 Mackay and Whitsunday Life Pty Ltd.
