Centenarian Sid keeps on giving

BARWON Health’s oldest serving volunteer has celebrated his 100th birthday in style.

Great-grandfather of 20, Sid McGibbon, (right) took up a role at the McKellar Centre’s Percy Baxter Lodge six years ago after losing his wife, June, a few years earlier.

Mr McGibbon visits the aged care facility on Friday mornings, entertaining residents with melodies on his mouth organ, conducting singalongs and sharing favourite tunes from his music collection.

“My wife passed away and I had nothing else to do. I was at a loose end. I thought I must find something to do that I love doing,” he said.

“I started to play (mouth organ) when I was nine. I used to play in New Guinea for the troops … just as entertainment to break the monotony.

“(Volunteering) gives me purpose in life. Being (at PBL) every Friday morning for so long and seeing everyone happy, that makes me feel very satisfied.”

Zoe Waters, deputy executive director of foundation and volunteer services at Barwon Health, said Mr McGibbon’s music, jokes and stories are enjoyed by all.

“When Sid came to me and asked if he could volunteer his time to ‘entertain the oldies’ in our aged care facility I did jokingly remind him that he may be just a couple of years older than most of the residents in our facility,” she said.

The father of three, and grandfather of 10, served as an aircraft mechanic during WWII, stationed in New Guinea. Post-war he worked as a motor mechanic at Lamont Motors and saw out his working life teaching at The Gordon.

Mr McGibbon, who will be 100 tomorrow, still lives independently in a unit in North Geelong, next door to his former family home.

“Over this past six months I have had a bad run and I wondered whether I would make this day so I am very happy,” he said.