A jack of all trades adds hitting a century to long list

From running a restaurant on the Yarra to an ice-skating rink at Airlie Beach, Caloundra’s Lawrence (Laurie) has spent a century taking on new challenges.

His latest has been celebrating his 100^th birthday with family and friends at his home at Bolton Clarke Centaur Memorial.

“I was born on 8^th May in a small town called Murtoa in Victoria and I lived there all my life until I went into the Army when I was 18,” Laurie said.

“I left school early to find a job and because it’s a little town they held exams in the region for kids to get a handful of jobs.

“I was lucky that I topped those tests and got a job in the post office, but then the war broke out and I got conscripted into the Army in 1943.”

Making his way to Dubbo for training was a step outside his comfort zone as it was a big city compared with his small-town home.

“Before joining the Army I hadn’t had much of a social life and I had strict parents – church every Sunday and hadn’t touched beer ever.

“So for me, it was the first time I had been in a big city and I had to make friends.”

Eventually, Laurie was transferred to the 2^nd New Guinea Infantry Battalion before becoming unwell and being discharged.

“After that I tried my hand at many jobs - I owned a restaurant on the Yarra, then sold vacuums for a while and air purifiers.

“Later, we moved up to Airlie Beach and ran a skating rink and then I moved down to the Sunshine Coast and started my own business in real estate.”

His interest in real estate has remained strong and it remains his top career recommendation.

“When you turn 16 you should become a real estate agent because I would say it’s the easiest way to become a millionaire.

“I also think you have to look on the bright side of everything no matter what happens – it’s often not that bad really and there is always someone worse off.”