General News
23 June, 2025
Pat Weir celebrates 90 years
Yaapeet local Doreen Patricia Weir, known as ‘Pat’, has marked her 90th birthday with a surprise celebration surrounded by family and friends, capping off a life defined by service, resilience and love.
Her family, friends and community members gave her a surprise birthday party after taking her to the Rainbow Football sheds from Bow Haven Hostel on Sunday, June 8.
“I didn’t know a thing about the birthday,” Pat said.
“It was a complete shock, but a good one.”
Pat enjoyed the day chatting with old friends and family, many of whom travelled a long way to see her and celebrate her milestone.
Born in Rainbow and raised in Yaapeet, Pat was the third of eleven children.
Pat was born on June 24 1935, and her actual birthday is on Tuesday (June 24) next week.
She was educated at Yaapeet Primary School, and her father got permission for her to leave school early to enter the workforce.
At just 14, Pat began helping local families with housekeeping and childcare, often being called upon by farmers’ wives who needed an extra set of hands.
She later worked at the telephone exchange in both Rainbow and Jeparit, connecting calls and voices across the Mallee and Wimmera in the days before dial tones and mobiles.
Her father, Joseph Francis Mellington, was a fuel agent who worked at the local silo and also served as a serviceman overseas in World War II.
In 1956, Pat married Noel John Weir, a local farmer, and they shared 67 years of marriage.
Together, they raised three children, worked the land, and built a life in Yaapeet.
Pat supported her husband in all aspects of farm life, from cooking for shearers to trapping rabbits, and fondly remembers walking paddocks in search of buried traps.
After many tough years, the couple transported a farmhouse that had belonged to Noel’s parents to their own property.
“We renovated that lovely house and lived there."
A move that is still one of Pat’s special memories.
Pat’s highlights from across the decades include playing tennis and netball for the local club, dancing in halls across the region, tending to her garden, and cheering on her children and grandchildren at football matches.
She also found joy in everyday moments: Christmas with extended family, a cup of tea with neighbours, and the simple pride of helping others.
While reflecting on the lows of her life, Pat said, “The biggest low was when I lost Noel."
“And other lows must be the mouse plagues, drought years and dust storms."
When asked what message she would share with younger generations, Pat didn’t hesitate.
“If you marry the right one, you’ll be happy for life,” she said.
“Noel and I were made for each other, and we helped one another in every way we could.”
She lost her husband in August 2023, and now she resides at Rainbow’s Bow Haven Hostel.
