LET’S GO SHOPPING: After a shopping visit to celebrate her 101st birthday, Melba Clare is presented with gifts by Sue Rodwell of Bunnings including a personally signed copy of a gardening book. Mrs Clare’s daughter Patricia Granland looks on.
MELBA Clare didn’t spend yesterday celebrating her 101st birthday over a long lunch.
Instead the sprightly woman who just loves to go shopping, was out and about looking for more plants to put in her garden, which is her passion
Mrs Clare makes 100 look like the new 70, astounding the staff who serve her on a regular basis in the plant section at Bunnings.
“I just love buying plants and getting out and looking at them.
“My eyesight has started to fade a little and when I can no longer see them, at least I will be able to smell them,” she said.
Mrs Clare says she can never walk out the door from one of her shopping spree’s without buying something and yesterday she was surprised by a gift of flowers, plants and chocolates from the staff at Bunnings.
Mrs Clare grew up on a sheep and cattle property in Wee Waa and moved to Orange nine years ago to live with her daughter Patricia.
“There’s only one secret to living so long and that’s to always be happy,” Mrs Clare said.
Mrs Clare’s daughter Patricia Granland said her mother is still an avid gardener.
“Mum loves growing things she can preserve and I help her out under careful instruction from her!” she said.
Mrs Clare says she loves the process of watching seedlings grow to plants before her eyes.
“Whenever I buy seeds I just love to go home and plant them straight away,” she said.
Yesterday staff at Bunnings presented Mrs Clare with gifts of her favourite plants, chocolates and a signed copy of Organic Gardening by Don Burke to celebrate her birthday.
janice.harris@ruralpress.com