Mercy Place Ballarat East was full of celebration as much‑loved resident Kath Moloney marked her 100th birthday.
Ahead of her milestone on 7 February, Kath was honoured with a high tea at the Corbett Street home, attended by around 60 fellow residents, family members and staff. Dressed in a tiara and a sash reading “100 and fabulous”, Kath was presented with a birthday cake and an official certificate by service manager Nav Sidhu.
“As you can see, she’s very enthusiastic and lovely, and she loves the social aspect of her life,” Nav said. “She is a gorgeous person; she is fabulous.”
Known for her mischievous sense of humour, Kath enjoyed a place of honour at the head table during the high tea, joined by her two children – daughter Christine from Ballarat and son Terry from Castlemaine.
Born in Wangaratta, Kath was the third of 10 children and is now the only surviving sibling. She met her husband Laurie at a dance while he was serving in the army, marrying at the age of 20 before moving to Ballarat in 1946. Together they raised Christine and Terry, and their family has since grown to include three grandchildren and eight great‑grandchildren.
Kath spent nearly 30 years working in the sewing room at Ballarat Base Hospital, retiring at 60 after 29 years of service. Laurie passed away in 1998 at the age of 74.
A lifelong lover of activity and adventure, Kath played golf well into later life, even scoring a hole‑in‑one at age 80; and travelled extensively, including a month‑long overseas trip at 90. She remains a keen follower of horse racing and takes part in a weekly family tipping competition. Kath moved into Mercy Place in April 2024 and is a familiar face at happy hours, where she enjoys good company and the occasional shandy or glass of bubbles.
Reflecting on her milestone, Kath said she sometimes finds it hard to believe she has reached 100 and is now the longest‑lived member of her family. Her daughter Christine said Kath was known as a “livewire” before osteoporosis and a stroke eventually slowed her down. “She’s always been very active,” Christine said, adding that she and Terry are immensely proud of their mum.
