Geoff celebrates a special century

DARLEY resident Geoffrey Nelson celebrated a special milestone last week surrounded by family and friends.

Mr Nelson, who lives at Mecwacare, Susan Barton House, celebrated his 100th birthday on Friday 1 August.

He shared the special day with his great-grandson Callum, who turned five.

“Everybody is making such a big fuss of it, and I feel it’s not warranted, but everyone says it is so I go along with it,” Mr Nelson said.

Mr Nelson was born in Brunswick to Sydney and Ernestina Carolina Olga Nelson, attending Brunswick Central and Princess Hill primary schools and Brunswick Tech.

He met his wife Betty at the Women’s Hospital where he was working as a plumber and she was a nurse.

While at the hospital, Mr Nelson was in charge of looking after Lady Superintendent Colonel Annie Sage’s car on a Saturday morning.

He said this was one of his proudest accomplishments.

Mr Nelson and Betty married in 1952, built a home in Pascoe Vale and had two daughters, Jenny and Robyn.

The pair now have five grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren, and Mr Nelson said it is his family who have helped him reach 100.

“I get a kick out of seeing photos of them,” he said. “I enjoy seeing the young ones grow up.”

Mr Nelson barracks for AFL team the Geelong Cats and played with Brunswick United for two years before experiencing a career-ending injury.

He has lived in Bacchus Marsh since the early 1990s, and played bowls for the Avenue Bowling Club and Bacchus Marsh Bowling Club.

He was a freemason for 73 years with the Duke of Brunswick and Duke of Abercorn lodges.

“I wanted to fill in some time and be some good to the public,” Mr Nelson said.

Mr Nelson enjoys spending time with his family, gardening, listening to and watching football, bowls, horse racing, parliament and Andre Rieu.