A Nhill resident since 2008, May Craig, who will celebrate her 100th Birthday on Thursday October 22 could possibly find she is quite "the town celebrity" this week.
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May was born in the Colac hospital in 1920 and spent her childhood on the family farm at Kennedy's Creek.
May's father unfortunately died when she was only 9 years old and May readily admits that this changed her life.
May's mother was a strong woman who worked hard bringing up six children and continuing the work on the farm. There is no doubt that May inherited her mum's strength of character which has carried her through her life.
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Obviously, money was "tight" and thus May did not have the opportunity to continue with her schooling and at 15 years old was sent to work in Colac.
When the Second World War began, May desperately wanted to "join up" but as her brother George had already enlisted in the army May's thoughts were with her mother.
However, when the Japanese bombed Darwin, the ever-patriotic May, travelled from Kilmore [where she was working at the time] to Melbourne. May had never been to Melbourne before!
"I found the Women's Air Force enlistment offices, but it took me a while to walk through the door," smiled May.
"I actually walked up and down the street for a while before finally plucking up the courage to go in."
"I wanted to parachute out of planes into enemy territory you know, I was young and very nave. In the end I didn't do anything heroic, but I suppose I "did my bit".
"I often think I was protected during the war years - you see, when the American soldiers arrived in Australia with chocolates, silk stockings and all manner of lovely things to tempt my friends I missed out on their attentions!
" 'Thin was in!' And I had a chubby layer of fat so they never bothered about me!
"However, I made some wonderful lifelong friends in the Air Force but sadly they have all passed away now. I guess that's what happens when you live to 100!"
May met her husband on a Melbourne tram just before he shipped out with the British Commonwealth Occupational Forces [BCOF] to Japan.
They corresponded whilst he was overseas and sometime after his return to Australia they married.
The couple lived in Melbourne and had two daughters.
In 1957, the family travelled to Kaniva for May's husband to help his brother in his newly acquired business - the Kaniva Club Hotel.
However, a two week stay turned into a lifetime and apart from a few years spent in Geelong at the beginning of May's husband's cancer illness, after which the couple moved back to Kaniva where they enjoyed Senior Citizens, the community and watching their grandchildren grow.
Although May had very little education by today's standards, May enjoyed writing stories.
In the last fifteen years she had published 3 books of short stories - Marella of the Otways, Gems of the Wimmera and Australian Made.
I wanted to parachute out of planes into enemy territory you know, I was young and very naïve. In the end I didn't do anything heroic, but I suppose I "did my bit".
The money from the sale of these books has been donated back to Cancer research for which the Cancer Council recognised May some years ago.
Following the death of her husband, May sold her house in Kaniva and went to live with her daughter in Horsham.
"I wasn't too well at that time and I remember thinking that I didn't have much longer to live ... little did I realise that I'd still be here 20 years on!" said May with a laugh.
In 2008, May moved to Nhill where she lived in one of the Monmeith Units but in 2010, after a visit from her two sisters to celebrate her 90th birthday, May decided she needed a larger abode.
"It seemed possible that I could be around for a while longer, so I registered my interest in a two-bedroom unit and was fortunate to get it," stated May. "The unit was lovely but the garden needed a bit of work, so I designed areas, planted and [with a little help] paved out the back."
"Today I am thrilled with the beauty I see from every window although there is always some fellow who wants to chop it all back.
"I usually answer them by say 'over my dead body'...Come to think of it that's probably more true than funny!"
Since going to Nhill to live, May has involved herself in the town and community - she joined Senior Citizens, continued to support the Cancer Group, attended the Uniting Church, joined the Nhill RSL and Vision Australia, became a part of the WWHS Day Care group and has greatly enjoyed the resurgence of interest at the Nhill aerodrome and Nhill Aviation Heritage Centre .
May's gracious personality, quick wit and friendliness has endeared her to many folks over the years and there are many who call her a friend. May however is quick to point out that people have been friendly and kind to her - particularly those involved in Legacy.
May has stubbornly kept her independence and even today, apart from a minimal amount of assistance, continues to live on her own and look after herself. She is a fierce Aussie patriot and her loyalty to the Queen and our nation is practically legendary.
May still enjoys oil and water colour painting, her home is a tastefully decorated and welcoming but there is no doubt that her major joy is shopping!
Due to COVID restrictions this year there will be no huge celebrations for May's 100 th however, that won't stop those who love May letting her know just how special she is.
Congratulations May on a life well lived - Happy 100th Birthday.
LESLEY GORDON
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