Joan Lord celebrates 100th birthday with Laurieton visit

Joan will celebrate her 100^th birthday surrounded by family and friends in Taree on Sunday, June 2.

In 1925 Joan went to school in Laurieton and said she enjoyed playing marbles and hopscotch with her friends.

In those days, Joan said the school looked very different to how it does today.

"It was only one room back then," she said.

Joan used to write with a pen and ink and a school inspector once told her she was the best student writer in the town.

Joan used to live in a house at the location where the Commonwealth Bank now stands on Bold Street.

She said there were only three houses on the main street, along with the school, the School of Arts building and small shops.

One day Joan recalled getting lost with a couple of friends after they hiked up North Brother Mountain and couldn't find their way down.

"We started walking at 10am to pick paper daises and ended up at the bottom at about 7pm near the cemetery," she said.

Joan said there were wonderful dances and concerts at the School of Arts. The famous Australian author, May Gibbs would often visit the school to read stories.

Joan has always been fit, through a love of tennis and walking. She indulges in a sherry to chardonnay on occasion.

Joan has lived in Tuncurry, Sydney and resided in Taree since 1982.

She has two daughters, Kay and Karen and a number of grandchildren and great grandchildren.