IT’S not every day Casterton gets to celebrate a 100th birthday – especially for someone who has more than left their mark on this community and others.
Last week was one of those rare occasions, when Betty Martin marked her century with several celebrations, including one at the Casterton Memorial Hospital on Saturday, 10 September.
Betty was a volunteer for many clubs in the area over many years and on Saturday was given a special award and recognition, not only for her birthday, but for her service to the Casterton RSL, from the sub-branch’s president, Barry Kent.
Before Casterton, she also had a profound impact on communities in the Northern Territory, from where several people sent in video messages to wish her a happy birthday.
Betty has her fair share of memories, including having seen Her Majesty, the late Queen Elizabeth II, on the monarch’s first visit to Australia in 1954, when the Queen spoke in front of the town hall in Adelaide.
The same Queen Elizabeth, who passed away last week, had sent what may have been one of the last birthday cards signed by Her Majesty.
The late Queen’s card was the centrepiece of the table which showed off other messages from local MPs, the Prime Minister and the Governor-General.
A passionate supporter of the Collingwood Magpies, Betty’s day would have been further blessed upon their victory in Saturday night’s AFL semi-final, taking them one win away from the Grand Final.
She is also a keen gardener and still has a mini garden of her own.
