Doris Celebrates 101 Years of Love, Resilience and Community

Respect is proud to celebrate Doris S, a resident of Tyler Village in Prospect Vale, Tasmania, who recently turned 101 and joined our 100 Club – an initiative that honours residents who reach this incredible milestone.

Born in 1924 in the riverside town of Wattle Grove near Hobart, Doris was the youngest of three children. Her early years were shaped by life on her family’s apple orchard, where she helped milk cows, pack fruit, cook meals and sew clothes after leaving school at just 14. “We had no money and had to make our own fun when we weren’t busy helping on the farm,” Doris recalled.

At 21, Doris married Allan, a war veteran, and together they raised four children. Their move to a soldier settlement dairy farm on King Island was a defining chapter in Doris’s life. With no electricity, an outdoor toilet, and a wood stove, the family faced many challenges. “Arriving at King Island felt like stepping into another world,” she said. “Over time, life got a little easier after we installed a septic tank, 2-volt electricity and a combustion stove.”

Later, Doris met and married Richard, also a farmer, and together they ran a holiday unit, post office, newsagent and petrol station on Tasmania’s east coast. Eventually, they settled near Launceston, where they operated a takeaway shop before retiring in Prospect Vale. Doris has lived at Tyler Village since 2012.

Throughout her life, Doris has been known for her creativity and care. She made beautiful handcrafted teddy bears, maintained stunning gardens, and baked birthday cakes for her children. Her favourite song is Bing Crosby’s I’ll Be Home for Christmas, a fitting tribute to her love of family and tradition.

To mark her 101st birthday, Respect arranged a heartfelt surprise, a visit from her son Peter, who lives in Queensland. The reunion was deeply moving and a gift Doris described as “the best thing anyone could have done.”

When asked about her secret to reaching 100, Doris simply said: “Hard work and good food.” Her advice to others? “Think about what you say before you say it. Less people will get hurt if they do.”

Doris’s story is one of quiet strength, enduring love and deep community ties. Sheembodies everything the 100 Club stands for, and we are honoured to celebrate her life and legacy.