Goya Dmytryshchak
Williamstown’s Mealor Higham will be 100 on Thursday, May 14.
Before coronavirus restrictions, Mrs Higham regularly went out, but will celebrate her centenary at home.
Born and raised in Williamstown, Mrs Higham recalls attending school at Williamstown Grammar with her sister, Winsome.
“I can remember Miss Molland, the head mistress, very well. She was strict but by the time we finished fifth and sixth grade we had learnt French and Algebra and we knew how to knit,” she said.
“I completed first form at Williamstown High School and then finished my schooling at MLC [Methodist Ladies’ College].
“I worked as a typist at the ammunitions factory in Footscray during the war, in charge of the invoice department, until I married a Williamstown boy, Bob Higham.”
The couple was married for 75 years and had three daughters.
Mrs Higham has eight grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.
“I have always kept busy with painting, pottery, visiting friends and playing cards,” she said.
“These days, I do the word puzzles in the paper every morning.
“Adult colouring books take up the rest of the day. Especially now that we can’t get out … I enjoy the colouring very much.
“I’m missing going out for morning tea or to the Victoria Inn and other venues for regular lunches and a little play on the pokies.
“As soon as the restrictions are lifted, I look forward to getting back to doing those things.
“Some members of my family live here with me in Williamstown but it’s a shame that others won’t be able to travel from overseas and Queensland and Gippsland to be here for the big 100th. I can’t believe that I will be 100.”
