By KATRINA BRANDON
ONE HUNDRED years is a magnificent milestone in life, and Vera Maria Grinpukel reached it last year.
On Sunday, November 19, 2023, Vera celebrated her 100th birthday surrounded by her family at Heritage Manor Aged Care Facility in Morwell.
The next day, the aged care facility threw her a gathering with other residents who could celebrate their birthdays and her milestone. With cake, poems and a well-sung version of Vera’s favourite song, the day was enjoyed by all.
Vera was born in Slovenia and grew up in Klagenfurt, Austria, where she went on to study commerce at university in Vienna. This was interrupted by World War 2, when she worked for the British Army and met her husband, Eddie Grinpukel.
Following the war, they returned to Klagenfurt, where they were married in 1947 and subsequently moved to Malta, where they lived for three more years until migrating to Australia in 1950 with their first child.
Vera and Eddie grew their family over the ensuing years, finally ending up with four children – Wally, John, Jeanette and Susan, 13 grandchildren and eight great grandchildren
They took up residence in Morwell and rented a Housing Commission house in McMillan Street. Eddie and Vera both then secured jobs with the SEC. Vera worked as a clerk and then later moved onto a clerical position at the APM until retiring.
During the mid-1970s, Eddie became Morwell Shire President and Vera stood by him as Morwell’s First Lady. During this time, they bought their first home on Vincent Road and upgraded to a home on Maryvale Rd. In 2014, Vera and Eddie moved to Heritage Manor.
Vera has received the letter from King Charles for turning 100, which was read out during her Heritage Manor celebration.
During the celebration, staff expressed how much they appreciate Vera, shared some of her hobbies such as Bridge and showed delight in being able to share her 100th birthday within the facility.
