By Mikayla van Loon
From galavanting across the globe to finding a second love at 91, Mercy Place Montrose resident Leila Fraser has done much in her 100 years but her proudest achievement has been her family.
Celebrating her 100th birthday surrounded by friends and family on Saturday 18 February, Leila was overjoyed by the show of love she received.
The event which brought together 45 of her nearest and dearest was held in Steels Creek and saw people travel from as far as America, Mildura, Albury and Darwin.
“My friends came from all round the place…it was wonderful,” Leila said.
Growing up in Eltham, Leila was the only girl among three brothers which she said “was a bit hectic”.
Attending school in Eltham until she was able to begin work in Melbourne, Leila said each morning she would travel by train to the city.
“Eltham wasn’t anything like it is now. It was one shop in the street and we used to call there on the way home to get our bread and our mail and our milk,” she said.
During World War II, Leila dedicated her time to sewing uniforms for soldiers, befriending many and forging strong relationships with people around the world.
As a young girl Leila spent most of her time living in the one place but as she grew older and met her first love Wilfred, the pair spent 15 years in Mildura and other places across the country.
It was also Wilfred who helped spark a desire to travel when he bought his own plane, often taking trips to places like Papua New Guinea.
This adventurous spirit lived on, even after Wilfred died aged 70, and saw Leila explore the world oftentimes getting up to harmless mischief with her family.
With Leila’s daughter Denise Conry and her husband Ron, as well as her grandson Darren, moving to Canada and America respectively, she would go and visit as much as possible.
Denise said although every time her mother would come to visit they would make small trips to places like Prince Edward Island, it was always the snow she loved most.
“She really enjoyed being in the snow because it was so different. The lake used to freeze and she went out doing donuts in the car with my daughter on the ice, screaming all the way,” Denise said.
Not only did she drive across the lake but Leila said she would often take the dog for a walk over the ice to get to Subway.
“One year everybody was saying there is going to be no snow this year. I got up in the morning and I looked out my window and everything was covered in snow like it was bending in prayer. I was really blessed,” Leila said.
“I wrote a story about it and it was published in the U3A newsletter in Mildura.”
Remembering a time she went to a wildlife sanctuary, Leila got quite the giggle going, telling another story of adventure and fun.
“We went to a wildlife park and there were all these buffalo and deer. My son-in-law, he wound the window down and the buffalo came in and was grabbing the carrots in my hands,” she said.
Leila said despite having been to many places around the world her favourite was Tallahassee, the capital of Florida.
Back home Leila found herself falling in love again at the age of 91, getting married for the second time, wearing her favourite colour lilac, surrounded by family and friends.
“Stuart was lovely. He was a really nice guy and they got on really well together,” Denise said.
“I’ve got four stepchildren to my second marriage and they are very good to me. They really love me,” Leila said.
One of the biggest and most defining moments in both Leila and Denise’s life was the day Leila became a Christian believer, changing the course of their family’s trajectory.
“In 1959, when Billy Graham came out to Australia, it was wonderful all the singing and the message and it inspired me and so I changed my attitude on life,” Leila said.
“Our whole life went in a totally different direction. I’ve never regretted that. That was the best thing she’s ever done and she’s passed her faith on to all of us,” Denise said.
It’s this moment Denise reflects on because when her son was born deaf after she contracted the German measles, as well as other hardships, faith and hope got her through.
“A lot of the stuff we’ve been through in our life hasn’t always been easy but there’s always hope. She changed everybody’s life for the better.”
Mercy Place Montrose Lifestyle Coordinator Dee Halligan said it’s not hard to see that Leila is completely family orientated.
“Her family is her life…she’s a very gentle, loving lady and it was very hard for her through Covid because she couldn’t touch her family. That was probably one of the hardest things she’s ever lived through,” she said.
For Leila, that has been the secret to making it to 100 despite never thinking she would.
“I have got to 100. My daughter is just wonderful. The family is all just so good and that helps me too,” she said.
Having lived at the nursing home in Montrose for three or so years now, Leila has become an integral part of Mercy Place Montrose, continuing to help and support others around her.
“Mum’s moved into a nursing home but she helps a lot of the people here by listening to them,” Denise said.
“They come and talk to her and she listens and she’s helped a lot of people here I think in that way. So her life’s work is not finished.”
