Marie is 105 - guess what she got up to for her birthday?
She told me she was looking forward to her 105th birthday and was already making plans for the big event.
Well, this week that event arrived, and she was still the life of the party and still enjoying a beer.
Mrs Nixon's daughter Janette Van Haren, said her mother was doing remarkably well.
"She's terrific - she looks a million dollars and I reckon she'll outlive her kids who are all in their 80s now," Janette said.
Apart from a few mobility issues, Mrs Nixon is in good health and takes one blood pressure tablet a day.
Originally from Lorn and now living in Queensland, Janette said Mrs Nixon and her son Brian, who Mrs Nixon had been caring for, made the move to the Sunshine State late last year.
After a short stint living with Janette, Mrs Nixon moved into an aged care village at Carseldine near Brisbane and Brian, 72, to independent living also close by.
"They're just five minutes from me," Janette said.
While the family celebrated Mrs Nixon's birthday on July 8, a larger event is planned for Saturday, July 12 with friends and family travelling from Maitland to wish her many happy returns.
Mrs Nixon is relishing the social aspect of her new living arrangements and enjoys going to housie, 10-pin bowling and Mass.
"She's not a Catholic but she goes to Mass every day," Janette said.
"She still has that wicked sense of humour and loves the fact that she is the oldest person in the nursing home - she's now received congratulatory letters from Queen Elizabeth and King Charles.
Mrs Nixon raised her seven siblings from age 13 and nursed her husband through dementia.
She has seen war, floods and famine.
Born and bred in Ballina on July 8, 1920, Mrs Nixon moved to Maitland with her husband Robert in 1949 when he took up a job with the council as an electrical linesman.
The couple came with their three young children. Two other siblings were born after the family settled in Lorn.
No stranger to tough times, Mrs Nixon, the eldest daughter of eight children, lost her mother when she was just 13 and was left to raise her brothers and sisters.
She soldiered on with a young family when her husband went to Palestine during World War II.
In 1971, her life took another tragic turn when her son Brian, then 18, suffered severe head injuries in a motorcycle accident. She has been his full-time carer since.
But it doesn't end there for this stoic woman.
Her husband was diagnosed with dementia, and she nursed him through his illness until he passed in 1999. Five years ago, she lost her son Allan to cancer.
Life for Mrs Nixon had its highs and lows but in her words: 'the best thing to do is to be accepting, try not to worry and make the best of what you have.'
Mrs Nixon has five children, 11 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and more than 20 great-great-grandchildren.
One of the biggest joys in her life was driving taxis in Maitland for 19 years.
During an interview with The Mercury when she turned 100, Mrs Nixon said she made many friends on the job, counselled many passengers and saw and heard a lot of things she can't repeat.
"I certainly heard some stories and I couldn't get over how people thought the taxi driver could help solve their problems," she said. "I'd just try and say something that would make them happier. It was a great occupation - I really loved it," Mrs Nixon said.
Sadly she had to resign from her driving job when Mr Nixon fell ill.
"I feel very humbled and have to thank everyone for all they have done.
"I've been lucky to have good health and I look forward to keep going and be sensible and live a good life," Mrs Nixon said.
Last time I spoke to Marie Nixon she was having a beer, celebrating her 100th birthday and was the life of the party.
She told me she was looking forward to her 105th birthday and was already making plans for the big event.
Well, this week that event arrived, and she was still the life of the party and still enjoying a beer.
Mrs Nixon's daughter Janette Van Haren, said her mother was doing remarkably well.
"She's terrific - she looks a million dollars and I reckon she'll outlive her kids who are all in their 80s now," Janette said.
Apart from a few mobility issues, Mrs Nixon is in good health and takes one blood pressure tablet a day.
Originally from Lorn and now living in Queensland, Janette said Mrs Nixon and her son Brian, who Mrs Nixon had been caring for, made the move to the Sunshine State late last year.
After a short stint living with Janette, Mrs Nixon moved into an aged care village at Carseldine near Brisbane and Brian, 72, to independent living also close by.
"They're just five minutes from me," Janette said.
While the family celebrated Mrs Nixon's birthday on July 8, a larger event is planned for Saturday, July 12 with friends and family travelling from Maitland to wish her many happy returns.
Mrs Nixon is relishing the social aspect of her new living arrangements and enjoys going to housie, 10-pin bowling and Mass.
"She's not a Catholic but she goes to Mass every day," Janette said.
"She still has that wicked sense of humour and loves the fact that she is the oldest person in the nursing home - she's now received congratulatory letters from Queen Elizabeth and King Charles.
Mrs Nixon raised her seven siblings from age 13 and nursed her husband through dementia.
She has seen war, floods and famine.
Born and bred in Ballina on July 8, 1920, Mrs Nixon moved to Maitland with her husband Robert in 1949 when he took up a job with the council as an electrical linesman.
The couple came with their three young children. Two other siblings were born after the family settled in Lorn.
No stranger to tough times, Mrs Nixon, the eldest daughter of eight children, lost her mother when she was just 13 and was left to raise her brothers and sisters.
She soldiered on with a young family when her husband went to Palestine during World War II.
In 1971, her life took another tragic turn when her son Brian, then 18, suffered severe head injuries in a motorcycle accident. She has been his full-time carer since.
But it doesn't end there for this stoic woman.
Her husband was diagnosed with dementia, and she nursed him through his illness until he passed in 1999. Five years ago, she lost her son Allan to cancer.
Life for Mrs Nixon had its highs and lows but in her words: 'the best thing to do is to be accepting, try not to worry and make the best of what you have.'
Mrs Nixon has five children, 11 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and more than 20 great-great-grandchildren.
One of the biggest joys in her life was driving taxis in Maitland for 19 years.
During an interview with The Mercury when she turned 100, Mrs Nixon said she made many friends on the job, counselled many passengers and saw and heard a lot of things she can't repeat.
"I certainly heard some stories and I couldn't get over how people thought the taxi driver could help solve their problems," she said. "I'd just try and say something that would make them happier. It was a great occupation - I really loved it," Mrs Nixon said.
Sadly she had to resign from her driving job when Mr Nixon fell ill.
"I feel very humbled and have to thank everyone for all they have done.
"I've been lucky to have good health and I look forward to keep going and be sensible and live a good life," Mrs Nixon said.
Last time I spoke to Marie Nixon she was having a beer, celebrating her 100th birthday and was the life of the party.
She told me she was looking forward to her 105th birthday and was already making plans for the big event.
Well, this week that event arrived, and she was still the life of the party and still enjoying a beer.
Mrs Nixon's daughter Janette Van Haren, said her mother was doing remarkably well.
"She's terrific - she looks a million dollars and I reckon she'll outlive her kids who are all in their 80s now," Janette said.
Apart from a few mobility issues, Mrs Nixon is in good health and takes one blood pressure tablet a day.
Originally from Lorn and now living in Queensland, Janette said Mrs Nixon and her son Brian, who Mrs Nixon had been caring for, made the move to the Sunshine State late last year.
After a short stint living with Janette, Mrs Nixon moved into an aged care village at Carseldine near Brisbane and Brian, 72, to independent living also close by.
"They're just five minutes from me," Janette said.
While the family celebrated Mrs Nixon's birthday on July 8, a larger event is planned for Saturday, July 12 with friends and family travelling from Maitland to wish her many happy returns.
Mrs Nixon is relishing the social aspect of her new living arrangements and enjoys going to housie, 10-pin bowling and Mass.
"She's not a Catholic but she goes to Mass every day," Janette said.
"She still has that wicked sense of humour and loves the fact that she is the oldest person in the nursing home - she's now received congratulatory letters from Queen Elizabeth and King Charles.
Mrs Nixon raised her seven siblings from age 13 and nursed her husband through dementia.
She has seen war, floods and famine.
Born and bred in Ballina on July 8, 1920, Mrs Nixon moved to Maitland with her husband Robert in 1949 when he took up a job with the council as an electrical linesman.
The couple came with their three young children. Two other siblings were born after the family settled in Lorn.
No stranger to tough times, Mrs Nixon, the eldest daughter of eight children, lost her mother when she was just 13 and was left to raise her brothers and sisters.
She soldiered on with a young family when her husband went to Palestine during World War II.
In 1971, her life took another tragic turn when her son Brian, then 18, suffered severe head injuries in a motorcycle accident. She has been his full-time carer since.
But it doesn't end there for this stoic woman.
Her husband was diagnosed with dementia, and she nursed him through his illness until he passed in 1999. Five years ago, she lost her son Allan to cancer.
Life for Mrs Nixon had its highs and lows but in her words: 'the best thing to do is to be accepting, try not to worry and make the best of what you have.'
Mrs Nixon has five children, 11 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and more than 20 great-great-grandchildren.
One of the biggest joys in her life was driving taxis in Maitland for 19 years.
During an interview with The Mercury when she turned 100, Mrs Nixon said she made many friends on the job, counselled many passengers and saw and heard a lot of things she can't repeat.
"I certainly heard some stories and I couldn't get over how people thought the taxi driver could help solve their problems," she said. "I'd just try and say something that would make them happier. It was a great occupation - I really loved it," Mrs Nixon said.
Sadly she had to resign from her driving job when Mr Nixon fell ill.
"I feel very humbled and have to thank everyone for all they have done.
"I've been lucky to have good health and I look forward to keep going and be sensible and live a good life," Mrs Nixon said.
Last time I spoke to Marie Nixon she was having a beer, celebrating her 100th birthday and was the life of the party.
She told me she was looking forward to her 105th birthday and was already making plans for the big event.
Well, this week that event arrived, and she was still the life of the party and still enjoying a beer.
Mrs Nixon's daughter Janette Van Haren, said her mother was doing remarkably well.
"She's terrific - she looks a million dollars and I reckon she'll outlive her kids who are all in their 80s now," Janette said.
Apart from a few mobility issues, Mrs Nixon is in good health and takes one blood pressure tablet a day.
Originally from Lorn and now living in Queensland, Janette said Mrs Nixon and her son Brian, who Mrs Nixon had been caring for, made the move to the Sunshine State late last year.
After a short stint living with Janette, Mrs Nixon moved into an aged care village at Carseldine near Brisbane and Brian, 72, to independent living also close by.
"They're just five minutes from me," Janette said.
While the family celebrated Mrs Nixon's birthday on July 8, a larger event is planned for Saturday, July 12 with friends and family travelling from Maitland to wish her many happy returns.
Mrs Nixon is relishing the social aspect of her new living arrangements and enjoys going to housie, 10-pin bowling and Mass.
"She's not a Catholic but she goes to Mass every day," Janette said.
"She still has that wicked sense of humour and loves the fact that she is the oldest person in the nursing home - she's now received congratulatory letters from Queen Elizabeth and King Charles.
Mrs Nixon raised her seven siblings from age 13 and nursed her husband through dementia.
She has seen war, floods and famine.
Born and bred in Ballina on July 8, 1920, Mrs Nixon moved to Maitland with her husband Robert in 1949 when he took up a job with the council as an electrical linesman.
The couple came with their three young children. Two other siblings were born after the family settled in Lorn.
No stranger to tough times, Mrs Nixon, the eldest daughter of eight children, lost her mother when she was just 13 and was left to raise her brothers and sisters.
She soldiered on with a young family when her husband went to Palestine during World War II.
In 1971, her life took another tragic turn when her son Brian, then 18, suffered severe head injuries in a motorcycle accident. She has been his full-time carer since.
But it doesn't end there for this stoic woman.
Her husband was diagnosed with dementia, and she nursed him through his illness until he passed in 1999. Five years ago, she lost her son Allan to cancer.
Life for Mrs Nixon had its highs and lows but in her words: 'the best thing to do is to be accepting, try not to worry and make the best of what you have.'
Mrs Nixon has five children, 11 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and more than 20 great-great-grandchildren.
One of the biggest joys in her life was driving taxis in Maitland for 19 years.
During an interview with The Mercury when she turned 100, Mrs Nixon said she made many friends on the job, counselled many passengers and saw and heard a lot of things she can't repeat.
"I certainly heard some stories and I couldn't get over how people thought the taxi driver could help solve their problems," she said. "I'd just try and say something that would make them happier. It was a great occupation - I really loved it," Mrs Nixon said.
Sadly she had to resign from her driving job when Mr Nixon fell ill.
"I feel very humbled and have to thank everyone for all they have done.
"I've been lucky to have good health and I look forward to keep going and be sensible and live a good life," Mrs Nixon said.
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The Advertiser
4 days ago
- The Advertiser
Marie is 105 - guess what she got up to for her birthday?
Last time I spoke to Marie Nixon she was having a beer, celebrating her 100th birthday and was the life of the party. She told me she was looking forward to her 105th birthday and was already making plans for the big event. Well, this week that event arrived, and she was still the life of the party and still enjoying a beer. Mrs Nixon's daughter Janette Van Haren, said her mother was doing remarkably well. "She's terrific - she looks a million dollars and I reckon she'll outlive her kids who are all in their 80s now," Janette said. Apart from a few mobility issues, Mrs Nixon is in good health and takes one blood pressure tablet a day. Originally from Lorn and now living in Queensland, Janette said Mrs Nixon and her son Brian, who Mrs Nixon had been caring for, made the move to the Sunshine State late last year. After a short stint living with Janette, Mrs Nixon moved into an aged care village at Carseldine near Brisbane and Brian, 72, to independent living also close by. "They're just five minutes from me," Janette said. While the family celebrated Mrs Nixon's birthday on July 8, a larger event is planned for Saturday, July 12 with friends and family travelling from Maitland to wish her many happy returns. Mrs Nixon is relishing the social aspect of her new living arrangements and enjoys going to housie, 10-pin bowling and Mass. "She's not a Catholic but she goes to Mass every day," Janette said. "She still has that wicked sense of humour and loves the fact that she is the oldest person in the nursing home - she's now received congratulatory letters from Queen Elizabeth and King Charles. Mrs Nixon raised her seven siblings from age 13 and nursed her husband through dementia. She has seen war, floods and famine. Born and bred in Ballina on July 8, 1920, Mrs Nixon moved to Maitland with her husband Robert in 1949 when he took up a job with the council as an electrical linesman. The couple came with their three young children. Two other siblings were born after the family settled in Lorn. No stranger to tough times, Mrs Nixon, the eldest daughter of eight children, lost her mother when she was just 13 and was left to raise her brothers and sisters. She soldiered on with a young family when her husband went to Palestine during World War II. In 1971, her life took another tragic turn when her son Brian, then 18, suffered severe head injuries in a motorcycle accident. She has been his full-time carer since. But it doesn't end there for this stoic woman. Her husband was diagnosed with dementia, and she nursed him through his illness until he passed in 1999. Five years ago, she lost her son Allan to cancer. Life for Mrs Nixon had its highs and lows but in her words: 'the best thing to do is to be accepting, try not to worry and make the best of what you have.' Mrs Nixon has five children, 11 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and more than 20 great-great-grandchildren. One of the biggest joys in her life was driving taxis in Maitland for 19 years. During an interview with The Mercury when she turned 100, Mrs Nixon said she made many friends on the job, counselled many passengers and saw and heard a lot of things she can't repeat. "I certainly heard some stories and I couldn't get over how people thought the taxi driver could help solve their problems," she said. "I'd just try and say something that would make them happier. It was a great occupation - I really loved it," Mrs Nixon said. Sadly she had to resign from her driving job when Mr Nixon fell ill. "I feel very humbled and have to thank everyone for all they have done. "I've been lucky to have good health and I look forward to keep going and be sensible and live a good life," Mrs Nixon said. Last time I spoke to Marie Nixon she was having a beer, celebrating her 100th birthday and was the life of the party. She told me she was looking forward to her 105th birthday and was already making plans for the big event. Well, this week that event arrived, and she was still the life of the party and still enjoying a beer. Mrs Nixon's daughter Janette Van Haren, said her mother was doing remarkably well. "She's terrific - she looks a million dollars and I reckon she'll outlive her kids who are all in their 80s now," Janette said. Apart from a few mobility issues, Mrs Nixon is in good health and takes one blood pressure tablet a day. Originally from Lorn and now living in Queensland, Janette said Mrs Nixon and her son Brian, who Mrs Nixon had been caring for, made the move to the Sunshine State late last year. After a short stint living with Janette, Mrs Nixon moved into an aged care village at Carseldine near Brisbane and Brian, 72, to independent living also close by. "They're just five minutes from me," Janette said. While the family celebrated Mrs Nixon's birthday on July 8, a larger event is planned for Saturday, July 12 with friends and family travelling from Maitland to wish her many happy returns. Mrs Nixon is relishing the social aspect of her new living arrangements and enjoys going to housie, 10-pin bowling and Mass. "She's not a Catholic but she goes to Mass every day," Janette said. "She still has that wicked sense of humour and loves the fact that she is the oldest person in the nursing home - she's now received congratulatory letters from Queen Elizabeth and King Charles. Mrs Nixon raised her seven siblings from age 13 and nursed her husband through dementia. She has seen war, floods and famine. Born and bred in Ballina on July 8, 1920, Mrs Nixon moved to Maitland with her husband Robert in 1949 when he took up a job with the council as an electrical linesman. The couple came with their three young children. Two other siblings were born after the family settled in Lorn. No stranger to tough times, Mrs Nixon, the eldest daughter of eight children, lost her mother when she was just 13 and was left to raise her brothers and sisters. She soldiered on with a young family when her husband went to Palestine during World War II. In 1971, her life took another tragic turn when her son Brian, then 18, suffered severe head injuries in a motorcycle accident. She has been his full-time carer since. But it doesn't end there for this stoic woman. Her husband was diagnosed with dementia, and she nursed him through his illness until he passed in 1999. Five years ago, she lost her son Allan to cancer. Life for Mrs Nixon had its highs and lows but in her words: 'the best thing to do is to be accepting, try not to worry and make the best of what you have.' Mrs Nixon has five children, 11 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and more than 20 great-great-grandchildren. One of the biggest joys in her life was driving taxis in Maitland for 19 years. During an interview with The Mercury when she turned 100, Mrs Nixon said she made many friends on the job, counselled many passengers and saw and heard a lot of things she can't repeat. "I certainly heard some stories and I couldn't get over how people thought the taxi driver could help solve their problems," she said. "I'd just try and say something that would make them happier. It was a great occupation - I really loved it," Mrs Nixon said. Sadly she had to resign from her driving job when Mr Nixon fell ill. "I feel very humbled and have to thank everyone for all they have done. "I've been lucky to have good health and I look forward to keep going and be sensible and live a good life," Mrs Nixon said. Last time I spoke to Marie Nixon she was having a beer, celebrating her 100th birthday and was the life of the party. She told me she was looking forward to her 105th birthday and was already making plans for the big event. Well, this week that event arrived, and she was still the life of the party and still enjoying a beer. Mrs Nixon's daughter Janette Van Haren, said her mother was doing remarkably well. "She's terrific - she looks a million dollars and I reckon she'll outlive her kids who are all in their 80s now," Janette said. Apart from a few mobility issues, Mrs Nixon is in good health and takes one blood pressure tablet a day. Originally from Lorn and now living in Queensland, Janette said Mrs Nixon and her son Brian, who Mrs Nixon had been caring for, made the move to the Sunshine State late last year. After a short stint living with Janette, Mrs Nixon moved into an aged care village at Carseldine near Brisbane and Brian, 72, to independent living also close by. "They're just five minutes from me," Janette said. While the family celebrated Mrs Nixon's birthday on July 8, a larger event is planned for Saturday, July 12 with friends and family travelling from Maitland to wish her many happy returns. Mrs Nixon is relishing the social aspect of her new living arrangements and enjoys going to housie, 10-pin bowling and Mass. "She's not a Catholic but she goes to Mass every day," Janette said. "She still has that wicked sense of humour and loves the fact that she is the oldest person in the nursing home - she's now received congratulatory letters from Queen Elizabeth and King Charles. Mrs Nixon raised her seven siblings from age 13 and nursed her husband through dementia. She has seen war, floods and famine. Born and bred in Ballina on July 8, 1920, Mrs Nixon moved to Maitland with her husband Robert in 1949 when he took up a job with the council as an electrical linesman. The couple came with their three young children. Two other siblings were born after the family settled in Lorn. No stranger to tough times, Mrs Nixon, the eldest daughter of eight children, lost her mother when she was just 13 and was left to raise her brothers and sisters. She soldiered on with a young family when her husband went to Palestine during World War II. In 1971, her life took another tragic turn when her son Brian, then 18, suffered severe head injuries in a motorcycle accident. She has been his full-time carer since. But it doesn't end there for this stoic woman. Her husband was diagnosed with dementia, and she nursed him through his illness until he passed in 1999. Five years ago, she lost her son Allan to cancer. Life for Mrs Nixon had its highs and lows but in her words: 'the best thing to do is to be accepting, try not to worry and make the best of what you have.' Mrs Nixon has five children, 11 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and more than 20 great-great-grandchildren. One of the biggest joys in her life was driving taxis in Maitland for 19 years. During an interview with The Mercury when she turned 100, Mrs Nixon said she made many friends on the job, counselled many passengers and saw and heard a lot of things she can't repeat. "I certainly heard some stories and I couldn't get over how people thought the taxi driver could help solve their problems," she said. "I'd just try and say something that would make them happier. It was a great occupation - I really loved it," Mrs Nixon said. Sadly she had to resign from her driving job when Mr Nixon fell ill. "I feel very humbled and have to thank everyone for all they have done. "I've been lucky to have good health and I look forward to keep going and be sensible and live a good life," Mrs Nixon said. Last time I spoke to Marie Nixon she was having a beer, celebrating her 100th birthday and was the life of the party. She told me she was looking forward to her 105th birthday and was already making plans for the big event. Well, this week that event arrived, and she was still the life of the party and still enjoying a beer. Mrs Nixon's daughter Janette Van Haren, said her mother was doing remarkably well. "She's terrific - she looks a million dollars and I reckon she'll outlive her kids who are all in their 80s now," Janette said. Apart from a few mobility issues, Mrs Nixon is in good health and takes one blood pressure tablet a day. Originally from Lorn and now living in Queensland, Janette said Mrs Nixon and her son Brian, who Mrs Nixon had been caring for, made the move to the Sunshine State late last year. After a short stint living with Janette, Mrs Nixon moved into an aged care village at Carseldine near Brisbane and Brian, 72, to independent living also close by. "They're just five minutes from me," Janette said. While the family celebrated Mrs Nixon's birthday on July 8, a larger event is planned for Saturday, July 12 with friends and family travelling from Maitland to wish her many happy returns. Mrs Nixon is relishing the social aspect of her new living arrangements and enjoys going to housie, 10-pin bowling and Mass. "She's not a Catholic but she goes to Mass every day," Janette said. "She still has that wicked sense of humour and loves the fact that she is the oldest person in the nursing home - she's now received congratulatory letters from Queen Elizabeth and King Charles. Mrs Nixon raised her seven siblings from age 13 and nursed her husband through dementia. She has seen war, floods and famine. Born and bred in Ballina on July 8, 1920, Mrs Nixon moved to Maitland with her husband Robert in 1949 when he took up a job with the council as an electrical linesman. The couple came with their three young children. Two other siblings were born after the family settled in Lorn. No stranger to tough times, Mrs Nixon, the eldest daughter of eight children, lost her mother when she was just 13 and was left to raise her brothers and sisters. She soldiered on with a young family when her husband went to Palestine during World War II. In 1971, her life took another tragic turn when her son Brian, then 18, suffered severe head injuries in a motorcycle accident. She has been his full-time carer since. But it doesn't end there for this stoic woman. Her husband was diagnosed with dementia, and she nursed him through his illness until he passed in 1999. Five years ago, she lost her son Allan to cancer. Life for Mrs Nixon had its highs and lows but in her words: 'the best thing to do is to be accepting, try not to worry and make the best of what you have.' Mrs Nixon has five children, 11 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and more than 20 great-great-grandchildren. One of the biggest joys in her life was driving taxis in Maitland for 19 years. During an interview with The Mercury when she turned 100, Mrs Nixon said she made many friends on the job, counselled many passengers and saw and heard a lot of things she can't repeat. "I certainly heard some stories and I couldn't get over how people thought the taxi driver could help solve their problems," she said. "I'd just try and say something that would make them happier. It was a great occupation - I really loved it," Mrs Nixon said. Sadly she had to resign from her driving job when Mr Nixon fell ill. "I feel very humbled and have to thank everyone for all they have done. "I've been lucky to have good health and I look forward to keep going and be sensible and live a good life," Mrs Nixon said.
Sky News AU
5 days ago
- Sky News AU
'Very sad and difficult time': Brisbane elite private girls school in shock after sudden death of student leads to closure
An elite all-girls Catholic school in Brisbane has been left shaken after a student died by suicide over the weekend. All Hallows' School closed the 159-year-old institution on Tuesday, bringing all activities to a complete halt after breaking the news of the passing of a Year 9 student. The school's principal Catherine O'Kane sent an email to parents, caregivers and the extended school community in the afternoon that read: 'It is with profound sadness that I share the news of the passing of Stella Medeiros-Hodge, Year 9 (Whitty), overnight on Sunday. 'Stella is the beloved daughter of Lucia and Iain and the sister of Isabella (Year 12). 'The family have shared with us that Stella died by suicide. 'At this very sad and difficult time, Stella's family have requested privacy. 'I know that our community will respect this with the utmost sensitivity and care. 'I also encourage you to speak with your daughter about responding to this news with compassion and the thoughtful use of social media.' On Tuesday, parents were seen rushing to the school to pick up their children by 2pm as it closed in light of the tragedy. Ms O'Kane advised parents to monitor their children's engagement with social media and the amount of time they are spending online. She also noted scheduled school activities have been postponed revealing no clear timeline of when it will return to normal operations. 'I also want to let you know that we have postponed the spirit week activities that were planned for the remainder of the week, and the Adderton house mass scheduled for tomorrow (Wednesday morning) has been postponed," she wrote. 'At this time, it is our expectation that all other scheduled activities will continue as planned. I know that you will keep Stella and her family in your hearts and prayers and I will provide details of Stella's funeral when these become available. 'The following prayer may offer a way for your family to come together in support during this time: Loving God, in times of sorrow and loss, you are with us. May your love surround the Medeiros-Hodge family, bringing comfort and strength. Help us to trust in your mercy and to carry Stella's memory with love and grace. Be near to all who are grieving and grant us your peace. We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.' The sudden closure has sparked a demand for transparency around the institution's values and its students with parents and alumni now pressing for clear answers.
ABC News
19-07-2025
- ABC News
Wartime spies posed as swagmen near Townsville, historian's research reveals
On a lush north Queensland cattle property in April 1942, a strange shape emerging from the clouds caught a woman's eye as she hung up the washing. A mushroom-shaped cloth attached to a glittering figure was descending from the low-lying cloud cover, the parachutist's feet furiously steering away from the farmhouse. Eyewitnesses quickly mounted their horses and rode to the landing site, but the shadowy figure had vanished. It is a tale that seems almost fictional, one bound to happen far from Australia's shores. But Australian historian Ray Holyoak from James Cook University has uncovered radar records, police reports and eyewitness accounts revealing evidence of a concerted foreign espionage effort in wartime northern Australia. "There is some detailed information in several Australian archive files that around the end of April 1942, there is at least one parachute drop of spies," he said. During World War II the northern Australian garrison city of Townsville was an important Allied base during the fight for the Pacific. The city's deep-water port, rail facilities and troop staging areas made it a key strategic location of great interest to wartime enemies. "After the Pearl Harbour attack in December 1941 they really do think there's going to be a landing, or at least a heavy attack, to the north of Australia," Mr Holyoak said. The fall of Lae in Papua New Guinea gave Japanese forces a base closer to Australia, allowing them to step up surveillance efforts. "We've already had the bombing of Darwin in February 1942, and by March there's Japanese surveillance aircraft coming over Townsville," Mr Holyoak said. "To be able to come this far was possible." Allied intercepts from the time show records of spies or sympathisers feeding information from Townsville about troop movements and popular pubs in early 1942, Mr Holyoak said. Then came the parachute drop of a suspected spy onto a north Queensland farm by a Japanese aircraft, on the Woodhouse pastoral holding near Giru, south-east of Townsville. "It sounds like a story or a training exercise, but on the day there are radar records of a particular Japanese aircraft, an MC-20, that was used in the early stages in South-East Asia for spy and parachute drops," Mr Holyoak said. An initial search of the area near the farm was fruitless, but later that night, a sentry fired two warning shots at an unknown man who had approached an American airfield at Woodstock, roughly 8 kilometres from the landing site. The next morning, Mr Holyoak said, authorities noted an itinerant swagman walked along the road towards Townsville, near Toonpan. "Somebody walking through farms or in an Allied uniform — they would have got stopped and checked," he said. "But somebody in a swaggie's outfit walking towards Townsville would have been ignored, so the Queensland Police thought really this was the perfect disguise. "They weren't challenged, and they walked on to Townsville and were never seen again." August 15 will mark 80 years since the Allied victory in the Pacific, when Japanese forces surrendered following the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. North Queensland historian and author of Townsville in War and Peace 1942-1946, Geoff Hansen, said the war developed the northern region into the important defence base that it is today. "We had air strips, forts, air raid shelters, search lights, anti-aircraft gun emplacements being built, large military camps and hospitals, schools were closed. "We had lots of Americans and Australians come in, and it was also where the fifth US Air Force was formed, so it was a big transformation." Mr Hansen said it was crucial that local historical accounts of the broader conflict were remembered and commemorated appropriately. "I think it's important to remind ourselves that the world can change very quickly, and north Queensland experienced that in 1942 to 1945." The garrison city will mark the 80th anniversary of the end of the war in the Pacific with a joint US-Australian commemorative service involving veterans, families and dignitaries.
