Art and Music a Way of Life for Centenarian Dorothy Pyne

Bringing a smile to someone’s day is the main motivator for Mrs Dorothy Pyne, a resident at Resthaven Port Elliot, who turns 100 on 30 June.

A gifted hobby artist, Dorothy creates beautiful hand-illustrated greeting cards, which she presents to people on their birthday, as well as when they arrive at the residential aged care home.

‘I love people,’ Dorothy says. ‘And I thought that making cards for other residents would be a good way to meet people and make new friends. I try and make a birthday card for everyone here, so I’ve certainly done a lot of them now.’

Dorothy’s logic has prevailed, and she says that often a person’s face will light up when they receive one of the cards.

‘It can be a big change for people when they first arrive,’ Dorothy says. ‘I think a nice card lets them know that there are people here who care. I have great friends here. It’s just like a big boarding house. I feel very lucky to be here.’

Early life

Dorothy’s parents were both from England: her father from Kent, and her mother from Worcester. Together, they moved to Australia in 1913 and settled in Parkside. Dorothy had two older sisters, and Dorothy herself was born on 30 June, 1924.

‘My family loved classical music when I was growing up,’ Dorothy says. ‘I started playing piano when I was 11. My favourite composers are Mozart, Chopin and Beethoven.’

The girls attended Woodville High School, where Dorothy’s older sister was the dux of the school, and Dorothy excelled at hockey, which she continued to play up until the age of 25.

Her father was in the army in both World War I and World War II. During World War II, he was responsible for transporting troops and supplies to Port Moresby on the boats. Dorothy followed suit, joining the Air Force, where she worked as a driver in South Australia and Victoria.

‘I would pick up the troops from the Adelaide hospitals and take them to Mount Breckan (a grand 38-room residence that was owned by the Commonwealth Government and used by the Air Force for training and rehabilitation) at Victor Harbor. They were quite twisty roads back then, and it was difficult to do.’

At the end of the war, Dorothy undertook an aptitude test and with high results, she was given the opportunity to study anything she wanted, barring medicine and dentistry. She took the opportunity to study at the Elder Conservatorium of Music, majoring in Music History.

‘It was wonderful to study in an area I enjoyed so much,’ Dorothy says.

With her experience and knowledge, Dorothy later taught piano from the family home, as well as at Paringa Park Primary School.

Becoming Mrs Pyne

While on holiday at Victor Harbor, Dorothy met her husband-to-be, Richard.

‘He was also in the Air Force,’ Dorothy says. ‘We met and were engaged within six weeks, and then married by the end of the year.’

Because of their service, Dorothy and Richard were eligible for government assistance in securing a War Service Home. Their house was built at Somerton Park, and they lived there for 40 years.

The couple’s first son, Greg, was born in 1954, and their second son, Roger, was born in 1956.

Roger developed outstanding musicianship and violin playing skills, winning a place at the Elder Conservatorium at the age of 10, and then going on to earn a scholarship at Scotch College for his musical ability. At the age of 19, he moved to Switzerland, taking up a position at The Sinfonieorchester Basel (Basel Symphony Orchestra). He has moved to Switzerland permanently and lives there with his wife.

Dorothy says that when Roger was a child, she would help him learn his music – although ‘he didn’t need much help.’

Dorothy’s eldest son, Gregory joined the army for a short time, before moving into other fields. He has recently turned 70 and has been volunteering at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital for the past eight years.

Life with Richard

Once the boys had moved out of home, Dorothy went back to work, first as a driver for disadvantaged children.

‘I used to pick up the children in the bus and take them to the Suneden Specialist education school at Mitchell Park,’ Dorothy says. ‘My day started at 7am and I picked up my first passenger, a little boy, at 7.15am (it was a big day for him). They were all such beautiful children, and I really enjoyed doing that job.’

Richard was an engineer by training, but after the war, he worked for the state government as a prosecutor officer.

‘He was very quiet – a lovely man,’ Dorothy says. ‘We had a lovely marriage and I’m very proud of my children and their wives. I’m proud of their achievements, but also very proud that they are such nice people.’

Over the years, Dorothy’s artistic side has shown up in many ways, one of which is designing and sewing tapestries.

‘I first did one for our church, St Philip’s Anglican Church at Brighton,’ Dorothy says. ‘Then a group of us went and taught some parishioners at Glenelg how to do their own. They then taught some others, and it continued from there.’

Richard and Dorothy moved to Encounter Bay in 1999, a quiet nod to their meeting place.

‘We joined all the local clubs and met lots of wonderful people,’ Dorothy says. ‘I remember saying to Richard one day that I was a bit tired of driving to places and doing so many things, but he told me, “There will be plenty of time for resting down the track”.’

The pair moved into retirement living at Seaview Road, Victor Harbor, and when Richard became sick, Greg stopped work and lived with Richard and Dorothy from Monday-Friday to help them manage.

‘It was wonderful to have his help,’ Dorothy says.

Sadly, Richard died in 2014, and then in 2019 Dorothy shattered her hip. She then moved into Resthaven Port Elliot.

A reason to get up in the morning

Dorothy says that it is her love of art and life that has kept her sharp.

‘When I have a card on the go it really does give me a reason to get up in the morning,’ Dorothy says. ‘I think it’s important that people know they don’t need to be lonely as they get older. It’s been nice to get to know new people. It’s a beautiful place here, and I have a nice room that I am very happy to be in.’

To celebrate Dorothy’s birthday, her family has arranged a birthday party to be held at Mount Compass Golf Club. She is looking forward to the celebrations – happy birthday Dorothy!

Find out more about Resthaven