General News
12 August, 2025
Centenarian Claire McKenry sparkles on her 100th birthday
When Sydney-born Claire McKenry met and married a farmer in Geelong and moved to the Wimmera, life on the farm presented a few challenges.
"It was a shock," she said.
But she soon grew to love the country, and there she stayed, raising three sons and later welcoming grandchildren and great-grandchildren as she celebrates her hundredth year.
She was surrounded by family and friends at a party on Sunday, August 10, in Jubilee Hall in Horsham, where she danced as a ballerina and fondly remembered the wall of mirrors that remains.
Another party was planned at Kurrajong House, where she now lives.
Pride of place in her room are family photos now joined by the many official greetings she received from King Charles and Camilla, the Governor General, Prime Minister, and other dignitaries congratulating her on her milestone.
She enjoyed walks along the Wimmera River for many years after moving into Horsham and loves the Meeting Place because it signifies a place to connect, and it represents the First Nations people.
"When I used to go walking, the plovers would attack me," she said.
"I just ignored them and soon they got used to me, and then they began to ignore me, and we both enjoyed the river after that."
At 90, she joined the Horsham team to break the World Record for the Nutbush, which was recorded in the Guinness Book of Records.
"We wore black and yellow shirts, and I still have mine," she said.
She has seen many changes in women's roles since she was born and thinks it's for the better, but warns women not to go too far. Don't overdo it."
Horsham's newest centenarian has many memories of her 100 years.
Attending the St Kilda theatre with her sister was one of those unforgettable experiences.
"One of the theatre ushers told us that if we hurried to a certain room, we might see Her Majesty, who was visiting Australia at the time," she said.
"I took off, leaving my sister behind. I wasn't going to miss seeing the Queen (Elizabeth II). She was married the same year I was, and I have followed the Royal Family ever since."
Mrs McKenry's wedding photo sits proudly on the shelf; she is in a full bridal gown alongside her pilot husband in military uniform.
She has seen many changes in vehicles, farm machinery and technology in her lifetime, but the most significant change, she says, came with the Second World War.
"The war upset the world. It was the biggest upheaval," she said.
"There were soldiers and sailors in the streets in Geelong all the time, and Dad used to bring some of his mates home for a meal sometimes. Nothing was ever the same."
She was a working woman. She worked as a secretary at the Electricity Trust in Geelong, and that's where she met her husband.
He was a wool classer/farmer by profession; hence, life on the farm and bringing up a family began with a move to Toolondo.
She quickly became part of the community, teaching Sunday School and swimming lessons to the local children.
Life on the sheep farm did not deter her from her passion for watercolour painting, gardening, and dancing.
"I remember I made a poster once and people were surprised that I could do that because they didn't know I was an artist," she said.
She loved ballroom dancing and taught Irish and Scottish dancing.
A collection of her watercolours is displayed along the passage at Kurrajong by her door. She has a passion for painting Australian native animals and birds.
The little willy-wagtails are a favourite of hers to paint.
And while she has put away the paints for now, she is still drawing and has a raised garden bed for growing her favourite plants and takes part in the many activities provided at Kurrajong Lodge.
"I still love to paint, but I don't have the space now, so I have gone back to drawing," she said.
Life has been a happy one with the usual ups and downs that come and go over 100 years, she says, but for now, it's time to celebrate this latest milestone in her life and enjoy time with family and friends.
The farms at Toolondo and Telangatuk have remained in the family, firstly with two sons taking them over; two grandsons now manage them. A third son lives in Melbourne.
She has four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, and a valued friend in Kath Carlson, who is her legatee.
