Baptcare Westhaven Community Footscray resident Audrey Clifton has seen the world transform around her over the past 100 years.
However, one thing has never changed: her love for Scrabble has remained stronger than ever.
Born on August 6, 1922, Mrs Clifton grew up in Horsham on a wheat farm and then moved to Ascot Vale in Melbourne’s north-west.
She worked in the Little Collins Street tram offices counting fares and tickets, but then completed her Higher Secondary School [HSC] certificiate at the age of 50, with a keen interest in English literature and Australian history.
Mrs Clifton was the child of Vera and Harry and had three siblings.
She married her husband Norman and they had three children – Mary, Martin and John and she now has nine grandchildren.
Mrs Clifton said she was proud of her children’s achievements.
“I think they are all different,” she said.
Mrs Clifton has been playing Scrabble since the 1960s and travelled to Norfolk Island to compete against others.
She has continued to play Scrabble online on her iPad or her computer and she has witnessed her children and grandchildren participating in Scrabble competitions.
Mrs Clifton said she can not leave this world under Labor wins an election and Essendon win another Grand Final.
She said her secret to a long life was trying not to stress.
“Leave it for someone else to do,” Mrs Clifton said.
“Live life to the fullest.”
Matthew Sims
