AUSTRALIA’S first national census was conducted in 1911, the same year Orange resident Marjorie Martin was born.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
In fact Mrs Martin is set to celebrate her 100th birthday today, on the eve of this year’s census night.
Born in Hillston, Mrs Martin moved to Orange in 1937 after working at the family-owned Globe Theatre where she played the pianola during the silent movie era.
“Shortly after marrying my husband Ron Martin, who was a flight engineer on spitfires with the air force, we came to Orange and have lived here ever since,” Mrs Martin said.
“I still have family living nearby in Orange.
“My daughter Wendy Miller and granddaughter Belinda Griffiths also live in Orange.”
When Mrs Martin was born 42 per cent of Australia’s population were living in rural areas, however the number dropped to only 12 per cent when the census was last conducted in 2006.
Mrs Martin admits she’s seen a lot of changes in Orange over the past 70 years.
“I love going for Sunday drives with my daughter and granddaughter,” she said.
“Orange is becoming quite cosmopolitan.
“I’ll definitely be making sure that they help me complete my census form and ensure that I am included in the count.”
Some 40 census collectors have already walked the streets of Orange since July 29 delivering census forms to every house, farm and caravan park ahead of tomorrow’s census night.
More information is available online at www.abs.gov.au/census or by calling the census inquiry service on 1300 338 776.
tracey.prisk@ruralpress.com
