Twentyman cracks 100 mark
Phil Twentyman didn’t want to make a fuss of his 100th birthday, so a swag of friends and family did that for him.
The Feilding man turned 100 yesterday, marking the occasion with an open day, where old friends and family were invited, and it was a full house for the party.
Twentyman was a long-time Tararua farmer, who played rep rugby in the 1940s for Bush, before the union amalgamated with Wairarapa.
He and his late wife Dorris, who were married for 65 years, have six children, 13 grandchildren and seven greatgrandchildren.
Twentyman, still mobile and active, said when you’re looked after by others your whole life, there’s no reason you couldn’t make it to 100.
He lives on his own, walks every day and it was only until recently, when he lost his driver’s licence, that he stopped playing golf.
Twentyman spent a good chunk of his life farming at Hukanui, between Pahı¯atua and Eketa¯ huna.
In his early days he went to Eketa¯ huna District High School, catching the train from Hukanui, before going farming at 16.
He played rugby for Hukanui, who had their own club in those days, then for Bush during World War II, playing with Victoria Cross winner Keith Elliott for a time.
After the war Bush played against the Kiwis, the 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force team, in Masterton.
Bush toured the South Island and they had the big game against southern neighbours Wairarapa. ‘‘It was all fun and games.’’ He didn’t go to war because his occupation on the farm was considered essential to the war effort and his father applied for an exemption for him to stay.
‘‘It was a bit touchy and people looking at me as though I was a criminal.’’
But his two brothers joined up. Dick, who returned home, was in the navy and based in Darwin. He was there when the Japanese attacked.
His other brother Wilson was in the air force and was killed in a crash during a training run in Northern Ireland.
Back on the farm, Twentyman milked cows and ran sheep on the hills.
He was born on the farm and was there for 60 years until he sold up and bought another one near Alfredton.
Then he retired to Waikanae in 1979, before buying 32 hectares and some animals at Cheltenham two years later. He later moved to Feilding.
All the while Twentyman was out on the golf course, playing at Pahı¯atua, Waikanae and then Feilding.
He was about a 10 handicap and shooting his age wasn’t a problem. ‘‘It was easy when I was about 90.’’