Proud local Loraine Coulson recently celebrated her 100th birthday, recalling fond memories of Bundaberg including one special afternoon at her childhood home.
“Bert Hinkler flew over us,” Loraine said.
“I was about four and a half and I went out into the backyard to see him and my dad.
“My dad had gone for a flight with him over Bundaberg.
“Ten shillings for a flight over Bundaberg.”
Loraine was born in Rockhampton in 1924 to Pearl (Lou) and Eyvin (Abe) Pederson, one of seven children.
She was raised in Bundaberg where her father worked as a renowned local builder and her mother was a talented dressmaker and homemaker.
Loraine married Arthur Coulson, a plasterer and big band leader, in 1946 and in 1959 they moved to Brisbane to raise their three children Douglas, Glenda and Katherine.
They went back to Bundaberg many times over the years and Loraine returned permanently in 2017.
Going the extra mile
Loraine’s daughter Glenda Coulson Arthur said that, while her mother may have lost some of her mobility, she had lost none of her wit and humour.
“Mum proudly worked in the BCC in Bundy in a time when all store items and prices were memorised and later shared many a story of her time at Blacks Department Store,” Glenda said.
“She volunteered at Meals on Wheels, the Lady Musgrave Committee and the church guild, was president of the garden club and amongst other things became a very talented landscape and portrait artist with local and international commissions.
“Of course that is a very brief overview of her life and achievements.
“Like other mums she certainly has always gone the extra mile and been there whenever needed.”
- Other news: Barry reflects ahead of Korean Veterans’ Day
