General News
5 June, 2026
Golden oldie
WITH four children, nine grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren, Linda Janes’ life has always been busy – but filled with love, laughter and special times.
Her door, and her heart, have always been open to family and friends and tomorrow (Saturday, June 6) those nearest and dearest will gather once more – this time to celebrate Linda’s 100th birthday.
While she was eager to keep her special milestone “very low key,” this sprightly lady is looking forward to celebrating her long and happy life.
“I have never really thought about it before, but I guess 100 years really is quite a long time.
“Both my parents lived until their 90s which I thought was marvellous.
“I have never smoked, and very rarely touched alcohol; I’ve always been a good girl you could say,” she said with a laugh.
Having grown up on a dairy farm as one of seven children to Robert (Bob) and Edith McDowell, Linda worked hard from an early age, both at home and at school.
“I went to the Mepunga East State School 2762 until I finished grade eight. By that time there was only two of us left in my grade, Francis Harvey and I.”
When she first left school, Linda’s brother and his wife were expecting their first child – and it was her job to help look after the baby.
“I milked the cows, did the washing and helped my brother and his wife out with the baby and other chores,” she recalled.
“Then I got my first real paid job at the Timboon Post Office as a telephonist at the age of 14. I spent quite a few years there before marrying Douglas at the age of 21.
“Like many couples, we’d met at a local dance. His cousin was keen on my sister at the time and that’s how we met – the rest, as they say, is history.”
A keen dancer, Linda often enjoyed country Scottish dancing, old time dances and line dancing.
In fact, she performed at various nursing homes across the district up until the age of 91.
“I loved to dance but unfortunately I don’t have the balance for it these days,” she said.
“The dancing kept me active and I think that’s one of the reasons why I’ve reached 100; gosh that really is a lot of years.”
Linda and Douglas enjoyed their early married years on his parents’ dairy farm in Timboon.
They then enjoyed a short stint in the Mallee before heading to Willaura and then returning to the district where they milked cows “for about 25 years” on a Heytesbury settlement farm.
“It was hard work (milking cows) and something I thought I would never really do, so that was abit of a surprise,” Linda recalled.
“Another surprise came when we found out we were expecting twins. We already had our first child, Ron, and then had the twins (Peter and Sandra - boy that was a surprise). Our fourth child, Neil, completed the family.”
While life was certainly busy for the young family, Linda said it was one filled with love, laughter and memories she will forever cherish.
“Then came the grandchildren and now great grandchildren. If you have a healthy, happy family you have everything.”
Linda and Douglas celebrated 50 happy years of marriage before he passed away 22 years ago.
As well as dancing, Linda has also enjoyed lawn bowls and being a part of the Country Women’s Association.
“I used to be involved with the CWA and the Christ Church Bowling Club when that was around in the earlier days,” she recalled.
“But the bowls club has long gone sadly. I had many wonderful times there.”
Linda retired to Warrnambool in 1985 and today enjoys a comfortable life at the Opal Riverside nursing home.
“I have some lovely friends there and we play Scrabble and cards several times a week; I’ve even taught some of the grandchildren to play games like Kings In the Corner – but I try not to let them win.”
