Maureen celebrates 95th birthday with friends and family

You will often find Maureen at the senior citz where she is a regular carpet bowler.

Always a fan, her and her husband's love of bowls has permeated the whole family.

“My husband and I started bowling years ago,” she said.

“Then we talked our son into it.”

The love of bowling is now an important part of Maureen’s grandsons’ lives.

Regular Ensign readers will know well about all the titles and championships won by Maureen’s grandsons Tyson and Coby, who are highly-ranked bowlers state and nationwide.

Maureen was born at Swan Hill and would spend time living in Pascoe Vale and Yarrawonga, before moving to the Rose City about 18 years ago.

“We moved to Benalla when the boys (grandsons) were born,” she said.

“We wanted to be nearby to see them grow up.”

Maureen said in those years she didn’t think Benalla had changed too much, which she feels is a good thing.

Part of that is the friendships and camaraderie by she has found at her regular carpet bowls games.

“We play every Tuesday, Friday and Saturday,” she said.

On her birthday, fellow bowlers arrived with a magnificent cake to celebrate.

“It was beautiful,” she said.

“Everyone got a piece and there was even some to have the next time.”

Luckily, she wasn’t getting tired of cake, as the Sunday after her birthday she had 26 family members arrive for another celebration.

“We had all my grand and great-grandchildren there, except for one who lives in Queensland.”

Maureen is very active, even for a much younger person, and plans to continue playing bowls into the future.

When asked her secret to a long and healthy life, she said there were two important things.

“Just keep active,” she said.

“Keep active and make sure you enjoy your life.”