Changing landscape and 100 years of memories
Jean Duncan proudly sits in an armchair overlooking the ever-changing landscape of Warragul – a place she has called home for 97 of her 100 years.
What she lacks in stature, she makes up with her spritely attitude and big smile. She easily recalls tales of her childhood and early life in Warragul.
Jean was born during World War I at a private hospital in Elsternwick on May 25, 1917. She came to Warragul with her family at age three and, after marrying husband Jim, has lived in her Warragul house for more than 75 years.
Jean celebrated her 100th birthday with a family party of about 25 people at Warragul Country Club on Sunday.
Born during World War I, Jean’s favourite childhood memory was of Kingsford Smith landing an aeroplane on the corner of Landsborough St and Warragul-Korumburra Rd. She went on a flight for 10 shillings. As opportunities in women’s sport grow, it appears Jean was ahead of her time, laughing as admitting “I used to play cricket with the boys”.
“There were four boys so, of course, they played cricket. Me being the tomboy, they asked if I’d like to bat, which I did.”
Jean was proud to be dux of grade six at Warragul State School but “some smart alec put me in grade seven, so I was a year behind them all (her friends) when I got to Warragul High School”.
Times haven’t always been easy, particularly after her mother died from a ruptured appendix just six months prior to World War II.
Just 21, Jean looked after her younger siblings – the youngest being just 10 – and recalls “I couldn’t even cook”.
“I don’t know how we managed, I really don’t. But we did.”
Jean married her husband Jim Duncan, a beef cattle farmer, in 1940.
“He was eight-and-a-half years older than me,” she laughs. “I thought he was an old man.”
A cornet player in the Warragul Brass Band, Jim would accompany her mother home from the band house.
Despite Jim’s music interest, which he passed on to daughter Judy, Jean says “I’m no good at music”.
It was sport at which Jean excelled, playing tennis and golf for Country Week in Melbourne. She played golf off a handicap of 10 and has been a life member of the Warragul Country Club for 22 years. The Jean Duncan Trophy will be played this week in her honour.
Her under 16 athletic champion trophy – “it was gorgeous” – now sits pride of place in the foyer of Warragul Regional College.
Jean managed the Mawarra Op Shop for 42 years and is also a life member of Mawarra.
Gardening, lunching with friends and playing cards – particularly Solo – are favourite activities.
Knitting was another popular pastime, winning £2.50 in “The Sun” knitting contest for a jumper she created.
Jim died in 1988 and Jean has remained living in a house standing on 100-year-old Duncan family land.
She enjoys the company of neighbours Vicki and Roger Bell.
Jean has two children, Bill Duncan and Judy Symons, five grandchildren and seven greatgrandchildren.