Esme's 97 Full Years

Regis Home Care client Esme Reilly was born on January 31, 1921 in Stawell, Victoria. She grew up in Bendigo with four older sisters and her parents, who were licensees of Reilly’s Harp and the Shamrock Hotel. At 21 years of age, Esme joined the Australian Army as a “Cipher”. In this role she encoded and decoded messages for the allies for three and a half years.

After the war, she did short hand and typing and was employed within various offices. With these skills, she travelled oversees visiting 11 countries including working in London at The National Institute of Houseworkers, whose primary aim was to raise the status of domestic employment.

Esme’s love and passion has always been animals, particularly German Shepherds. Her beloved pup Gretel is buried at the pet cemetery in Melbourne. Esme eventually moved to Mildura teaching dogs obedience training and fell in love with the river and the Ghost Gums trees.

Esme currently resides at the RSL units in Nash Court 2018. She is in good health at the age of 97 years young and hopes to maintain her independence and reach a century in three years time with the help of Regis Home Care.

Pictured: Esme (left) during wartime & Esme now.