Working at a handbag factory when she left school and later as a teacher at the Spastic Centre in Revesby, Peggy met husband Charles as a child living on the same street where they used to play jacks and ride their bikes together.
Marrying him at 20 when he was on leave from the army before transferring to the navy, Peggy kept the home fires burning and raised their four daughters – Kristine, Judy, Valerie and Kathleen.
Kathleen said they were devoted to each other until her Dad died about 15 years ago.
She said Peggy remembers the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House opening and recalls times were easier and simpler back then.
Describing her as “amazing”, she said Peggy still lived alone, doing her own cleaning and even cooking for members of the family – she has 15 grandchildren and 36 great-grandchildren.
“She’s not on medication, has all her own teeth and is as sharp as a tack with a wonderful sense of humour,” Kathleen said.
“She likes a wine and goes to Revesby Workers’ Club everyday to meet her friends and play Bingo and we take her out for dinner on Thursday nights to Panania Diggers for the raffles.
“Her and Dad travelled extensively and we even took her on a trip to Hawaii last year when she was 99.
“Mum is such a positive person and we all adore her, she is a true inspiration.
“As well as receiving congratulatory messages from the Governor General, the NSW Premier and Veteran Affairs on her February 17 birthday, Revesby Workers’ Club staff visited and presented her with a 100-year-old medal; she was really thrilled.”
‘Amazing’ Peggy even enjoyed stripper as birthday party treat
THERE are not too many 100-year-olds who have a stripper – and loved it – at their birthday party but that was one of the many treats Revesby’s Lilian ‘Peggy’ Robertson enjoyed for her special milestone.
