A milestone birthday

Doreen Cantle recently celebrated her 90th birthday. 177983 Picture: Leigh Dodd

By Leigh Marie Dodd

Evergreen Retirement Village resident Doreen Cantle recently celebrated her 90th birthday.
To commemorate the special day, Doreen was spoilt by her friends and family.
Doreen was born on February 11 1928 at Westminster Hospital in London.
She worked as an apprentice in London, making headdresses for future brides before she changed careers and worked as a computer technician when she moved to Australia.
“I am good with my hands,” Doreen explained.
One of Doreen’s hobbies in her youth was ballroom dancing, which is how she met her husband.
They married in 1948, and decided to move to Australia with their four young children.
In 1966, the family made the long and arduous journey by boat to the land down under.
After they arrived in Australia, Doreen and her family stayed in a hostel for 16 months and eventually bought some land to build their own family home.
Doreen was pleased with the move, as she wanted to build a better life for her children.
“I thought I was doing the right thing and I am glad I did,” she said.
Her daughter Lisa is forever grateful to her mother.
“She is loving, caring and always thinks of others,” Lisa said.
Doreen celebrated her birthday with a nice dinner surrounded by her family and had a special afternoon tea prepared by the retirement village.
Enjoying her retirement, Doreen can often be found knitting for her seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren or participating in various activities with her fellow residents.
Reaching 90 is quite a milestone, and Doreen isn’t stopping there.
The secret to her long, fulfilling life can be found in her caring nature.
“You have to give and take, and try to be good to other people,” she said.