• Berwick Gazette
• Pakenham Gazette

By Bridget Cook

27th January 2010 02:00:05 AM

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Gladys Mitchell celebrated her 100th birthday on Sunday. 41135Picture: Kim Cartmell

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BERWICK resident Gladys ‘Tiny’ Mitchell, nee Duke, reached a far from tiny milestone on Sunday when she celebrated her 100th birthday.

The Melville Grange Hostel resident celebrated the momentous occasion at the Berwick RSL among more than 130 family and friends, some of whom had travelled from overseas and interstate.

Ms Mitchell, one of five children, was born in Abbotsford and grew up in Rushworth.

Her nickname - Tiny - is one that has been with her since birth.

“I was called Tiny, because it was said that when I was born my grandfather picked me up and said, ‘Isn’t she tiny?’ And it has stuck ever since,” she said.

During her century, Mrs Mitchell has worked as a legal secretary, served in the armed forces during World War II, during which time she attained the rank of corporal, and as the secretary of the Victorian Racing Club (VRC).

It was in her time at the VRC that she met Bill Mitchell, who she married in 1967.

The couple travelled extensively overseas to places including South Africa, Italy, England and Canada before they returned to Australia and settled in Berwick.

Mrs Mitchell’s niece Linda Beyer said in Berwick they had enjoyed a life showing and breeding their golden retrievers, tending to their lovely garden and growing their own produce. Bill sadly passed away in 1995.

Mrs Mitchell’s now resides at Melville Grange Hostel, Berwick, where she continues her involvement with various local community organisations such as the RSL, Red Cross, women’s auxiliary and Probus.

Ms Beyer said while she did not have children of her own, throughout her life she had always been the much valued and dearly loved ‘Auntie Tiny’ to her 12 nieces and nephews.

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