16 December 2025
Gladys Birch, a cherished member of our Castra community, recently celebrated her 102nd birthday surrounded by family, friends and fellow residents.
The recreation room was filled with laughter, music and the sweet aroma of a beautifully decorated birthday cake. Beaming with happiness, Gladys thanked everyone for their warm wishes on this remarkable milestone.
Gladys’s story begins in a dairy farm in Greenview, Wondai, where she grew up milking cows alongside her two brothers. Life looked very different then, she recalls with a laugh: “No fridge, no phone, no washing machine. The young ones wouldn’t even know what an outhouse is!” Gladys married in 1945 and welcomed her son Bevan at aged 24, building a life grounded in family and simple joys.
Gladys has been part of the Castra community in Murgon for many years, living in one of our Independent Living Units for around 22 years. During that time, she generously volunteered her time by assisting staff with activities and outings. In June 2022, Gladys made the decision to move into our Castra residential aged care home, where she continues to participate actively in weekly events.
A passionate cook, Gladys has contributed many treasured recipes to Castra’s cooking activities. She also enjoys bingo, word games, indoor bowls and socialising with family and friends. One of her fondest memories is dressing up with gloves and a handbag for the local shows when she was young. Just two years ago, she was honoured as a guest cake-cutter at the show’s 100th anniversary.
When asked about life advice, Gladys simply says, “Always try to be happy and get along with people. Don’t argue, just listen. Life has its ups and downs, so stay positive.”
Her warmth and kindness continue to inspire everyone around her, making her 102nd birthday a beautiful celebration of community, connection and joy.
