Irish eyes still smiling

By Sarah Schwager
“A PHOTO of me? Good heavens, I’ll crack the camera.”
At 102, Nelly Ireland can still crack a joke, and keeps Willow Wood Aged Care Facility staff on their toes, manoeuvring around the centre on her walking frame.
The Cranbourne great great grandmother celebrated her 102nd birthday last Thursday, bringing friends and family from around Victoria.
Mrs Ireland’s daughter Betty Murdoch said her mother was still “all there” and insisted on getting the newspaper every morning at 6.30am and always did the crosswords.
“She’s a bit hard of hearing now though,” Mrs Murdoch said.
All the staff and residents came out to sing happy birthday to the centre’s oldest resident, to cries of delight from other residents, some of whom were unaware she was turning 102.
Mrs Ireland grew up in Moe, and lived in Glen Iris for 57 years after marrying her husband Harry.
She had three children and now has 49 grandchildren across three generations.
One of nine children, she is the only one to make it past 90.
She spent 17 years at Fiddlers Green in Berwick before coming to Willow Wood after suffering a fall last year.
“Last year she had a fall and wasn’t well and ended up in hospital,” Mrs Murdoch said.
“She couldn’t look after herself which was a shock to her after being so independent.”
Willow Wood nurse manager Margaret Moder said Mrs Ireland had bloomed at the facility, taking an active part in bingo, games, concerts and was “always on the phone”.
Mrs Murdoch said the main thing her mother missed was her garden at Fiddlers Green, which had hundreds of plants, and she had always gone out to feed the birds.
“Her heart is like that garden,” Mrs Murdoch said.
“It bloomed and bloomed and grew just like the garden.”
She said her mother was also a good tennis player, loved to knit, and was a big St Kilda supporter, always watching the games on television.
“She’s always been family-orientated,” Mrs Murdoch said.
“Up until 1999, she was still making 12 Christmas cakes and plum puddings with the coins in them.
“She’s been a wonderful mother and grandmother.”
Ms Moder said Mrs Ireland was a very elegant lady with a wicked sense of humour.
“Her family are so supportive. There’s always someone here visiting,” Ms Moder said.
“They’re all part of the Willow family now.”
She said she had been astounded by the number of cards, flowers and phone calls which were still coming last Thursday.
Mrs Ireland planned to spend the afternoon with family friends who were coming for afternoon tea.