Family gathered to celebrate Bundaberg local Colin Reid as he marked his 100th birthday on Thursday.
Colin, who has lived in the region for almost 40 years, received many calls and well wishes on his special day, including a visit from Bundaberg Region Mayor Helen Blackburn.
Colin’s only son Gary Reid said his father was not even the oldest in his own family.
“He’s the youngest of three kids and it was his brother’s 103rd [birthday] this year,” Gary said.
Colin grew up in South Melbourne where he worked as a plasterer before serving in World War II.
“His brother joined up… and dad followed about a month and a half later, joined up in 1944 just before the end of the war,” Gary said.
“He served in Borneo and then with the occupational forces into Japan.
“He was reported missing in action in Borneo but to my grandmother’s surprise, he turned up at home one day!”
After the war, Gary worked at a business that made acoustic tiles and blackboard chalk where he met his wife.
“My mother was working there, Dad met mum there and they got married in 1953,” Gary said.
“Mum passed away last year, she was 90 and they were married 70 years.”
Colin went on to work as a spray painter before retiring to Bargara in 1988 where he enjoyed hobbies like gardening, carpentry and golf.
When asked what he thought the secret was to his father’s long life, Gary said he could only guess.
“He drinks a lot of tea,” Gary laughed.
“So maybe tea, and golf!”
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