Isobel celebrates 100 in style

She might not be Mount Gambier born and bred but there is no doubt Isobel Phillips is a bonafide local and the celebrations for her recent 100th birthday extended well beyond a week as her family and friends and the community groups of which she has been an integral part honoured the much loved centenarian.

Born in Warrnambool on July 31, 1924, Isobel married Chick Phillips and they shared two children – Richard, who lives in Sydney with his wife, and Sue, who lives in Melbourne with her husband.

The family made the move to Mount Gambier to manage the Fletcher Jones Factory and wasted no time putting down roots, building a home and joining the Mount Gambier Golf Club, one of the community groups that hosted a celebration for Isobel’s 100th milestone.

When Chick passed away unexpectedly on the Millicent Golf Course, Isobel seriously considered returning to Warrnambool but the strong network of friends she had made in Mount Gambier saw her decide to stay.

She became entrenched in the Mount Gambier Golf Club and her service over many years saw her awarded life membership and she only gave up playing at 92 after a bad fall.

Isobel is also a life member of the Gambier City Ladies Probus Club, where she was recently honoured for her 30 Years of Service, which included being part of the executive for two decades and compiling the club newsletter for the past 17 years.

Isobel was honoured with a morning tea at her Probus Club, where the City of Mount Gambier Mayor Lynette Martin OAM was on hand to mark the occasion, as well as a celebration the following week at the golf club, with a family celebration at the Mount Gambier Community RSL rounding out the fortnight of celebrations.