MARTHA Mulder has spent most of her milestone birthdays surrounded by friends and family at her local bowling club, but this year's celebration looked a little different.
Mrs Mulder celebrated her 100th birthday at the Wallsend Aged Care Facility on Tuesday, and while coronavirus restrictions meant she couldn't enjoy the usual cuddles and kisses on the cheek, as long as there was an opportunity to see her family - and plenty of cake - she was happy.
Five generations of the family gathered at a courtyard window at the aged care facility to be with Mrs Mulder as she enjoyed tea and cake inside, surrounded by balloons and flowers and a letter from the Queen. Family and friends from afar called or Facetimed to wish her a happy birthday.
"We were hoping to get back to the bowling club where mum had all of her other milestone birthdays - we had the 80th there, her 90th there - so we would have had a big shindig over there if we could," daughter, Nicola Palmer, said.
Mrs Mulder was born in the Netherlands at the tail end of the Spanish Flu. Her family thought it bittersweet she was celebrating her 100th birthday during another pandemic.
The mother-of-six moved to Australia in 1952. She has 15 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren and seven great, great grandchildren.
She had been a talented dressmaker and singer.
Jigsaw puzzles, a bowl of rolled oats each morning, and an afternoon nap every single day had been the key to a long and happy life.
Facility manager Virginia Tideswell said restrictions were in place but it was important Mrs Mulder still get the chance to safely celebrate with her family.
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