Millicent Community Champion Celebrates Centenary

A pillar of the Millicent community, Resthaven Limestone Coast Community Services client Mrs Sarah (Kath) Kent (nee Irvine) is looking forward to turning 100 on 24 March. Twice named the town’s Senior Citizen of the Year due to her fundraising efforts, which she has been involved with since 1986, Kath says the secrets of her longevity are modern medicine, determination and lots of cups of tea.

Born at the Streaky Bay hospital to Ralph and Amy Irvine, Kath was the fifth of 11 children – six boys and five girls. The family lived on a property known as ‘Whichelby Well’, near Chandada on the western Eyre Peninsula, where they ran sheep, as well as growing wheat, barley and oats. Kath attended Inkster school, which was about 15 kilometres away. Life was hard. There were no modern conveniences, and everything had to be done by hand.

As a teenager, Kath moved to Adelaide where she was employed as a housekeeper, cook and nanny for a family with three children. Unfortunately, when World War II broke out, the Irvine boys all enlisted, so it was up to the girls to run the property with their parents, and Kath moved back home. Kath’s brother, Ted, served in New Guinea, and was good friends with a man named Allan (Jack). When the men returned to Adelaide after the war, Jack and Kath became better acquainted and it wasn’t long before they became engaged.

As the times were in depression, and resources were scarce, Amy had to save coupons so that she could buy the white satin material for Kath’s dress, which was sewn by Kath’s cousin Gwen. Kath and Jack were married in the Chandada Hall on 9 March, 1946, with over 600 guests attending.

A move to Millicent

After their wedding, the pair moved to Millicent, where they were provided with a home on a three acre block of land under the Soldier Settlement Scheme. In the following years, the couple had five children – Shirley born in 1947, Jennifer born in 1948, Marlene born in 1952, Sandra Joy born in 1955 and at last a son, John, born in 1958.

With Kath working within the home to raise their children, Jack worked at a variety of jobs including Willshires timber yard, Eudunda Farmers Stark's, and Paul Wolmsley and Ross Orchard's grocery stores. Kath was pleased when her siblings Olive, Ted and Tom followed her to the area, where they were able to find work as well.

Times were very tough for Kath and Jack as their youngest, John, was struck down with polio and meningitis. There was no Medicare at the time, and John had to return to Adelaide several times a year for treatment.

The family owned a small caravan, and holidays were either staying in a shack at Southend on the Limestone Coast or visiting family on the West Coast.

‘People would often laugh when seven people emerged from our small van,’ Kath laughs. ‘I never got my licence. Jack took me out once to learn, but I ran into a fence! That was enough for him.’

Later, when the children were adults, Kath and Jack moved into the township of Millicent. Kath still lives in this home with her son, John, as her carer, and is supported by Resthaven for home and garden maintenance.

In 1986, Kath began devoting her time to fundraising efforts, including raising money for the Millicent Hospital, for which she was a member of the auxiliary for 17 years. She also raised money for Sheoak Lodge, the Millicent Netball club, the Royal Flying Doctors and lots of smaller organisations such as the Scouts and Girl Guides. Across these groups she was instrumental in raising over $46,000, and was rightly acknowledged twice as the Millicent Senior Citizen of the Year.

In addition to fundraising, Kath has been a big part of the local RSL Club where she and Jack attended for many years. Kath rarely missed an Anzac Day and would watch Jack march. Sadly, he died in 2016, and since then, Kath has ensured that someone in the family marches in his place and lays a wreath at the service.

Nine lives

‘I’ve had a few medical scares,’ Kath says. ‘My family say I’m like a cat with nine lives!’

At the age of 59, Kath had difficulty breathing, so Jack took her to the hospital.

‘As we pulled in, apparently I slumped forward,’ Kath says. ‘My heart stopped for quite a few minutes, and the local doctor (Dr Harris) revived me.’

Kath has also had a few emergency flights to Adelaide, but she always bounces back. At the age of 98 she had a pacemaker fitted.

Community minded, Kath and Jack would decorate their home with Christmas lights every year. Now this is done by John under Kath’s careful guidance. If there’s a statue in the garden that needs painting Kathy will be armed with the brush and paint.

Kath loves to hear all about her grandchildren and their families, and takes a strong interest in their achievements. She has six grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren. She also enjoys catching up with friends she has made through the Legacy Club of South Australia.

Kath will be holding her birthday celebrations at the RSL Hall in Millicent on Saturday, 22 March. The RSL is catering the event, for which she is very grateful.

Thanks for sharing your story Kath. We hope you enjoy your celebration!

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