Gisborne Oaks resident marks a century and 75 years of marriage in consecutive months

Benetas Gisborne Oaks resident Cliff Newbery has celebrated a couple of momentous milestones over the past couple of months. The great-grandfather of eight marked his 100^th birthday on Monday, 6 May, surrounded by family and friends at the Gisborne aged care home.

He and wife Anne also celebrated their 75^th wedding anniversary on Tuesday, 18 June, proving love is the true key to longevity.

Born in the small Welsh mining town of Blaenavon in 1924, the eldest of six children was thrust into the role of breadwinner at the age of 11, following the tragic death of his father. He initially worked underground, leading a pit pony as it pulled a cart loaded with coal from the pit face before becoming a welder at 14.

His mechanical skills were put to good use during World War II, enlisting in the army in 1942 and serving as a personal driver to the colonel of his regiment for more than two years in India, China and Singapore.

After the war, Mr Newbery re-joined his family who had relocated to Luton, England, where he found work as a bus driver. During this time he met bus conductress Anne Duffy, who he married on 18, June 1949.

Together, they raised six children (four sons and two daughters) and now have 11 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

His prowess behind the wheel led him to a job driving a local Member of Parliament in Hertfordshire and once drove Winston Churchill to a Conservative Party rally.

During the 1960s, he was called upon to organise a charity pop concert, enlisting Cilla Black, Gerry and the Pacemakers and others to perform.

The family was convinced to migrate to Australia in May, 1974 after a good friend had returned to the UK, spruiking the country down under.

Over the past 50 years, they’ve lived in the Macedon Ranges with Mr Newbery working as a driver for cricketer Dean Jones to Melbourne and to and from Melbourne Airport when touring.

When Nelson Mandela came to Melbourne in 1990, Cliff got to meet him and shake his hand. Cliff and Anne have lived at Gisborne Oaks for the past seven years.