Mary Sadler celebrates 110th birthday

Mrs Sadler, who moved from Terang to Balwyn when she was 97 in 2005, has asked for her children to be in attendance for a luncheon at her daughter’s place in Lower Templestowe to celebrate the remarkable achievement.

Mrs Sadler ranks as the fourth-oldest person in Australia. 

Her youngest child, high-profile horse trainer John, confirmed details of the arrangements for the 110th birthday celebration.

“It’s going to be a small family gathering at Helen’s place,” he said.

“We used to have big celebrations in Melbourne’s China Town for her other birthdays but it’s going to be low-key this year.

“It’s a remarkable achievement to make 110, for sure there’s not going to be many other people get to that age.

“Her mind is excellent believe me, she has not lost her wit but her body is slowing down. I would say considering her age she’s doing very well.”

Mrs Sadler and her late husband Lindsay lived for 50 years on a farm at Glenormiston, where they had seven children. “Our parents had it pretty tough,” John said.

“They had various dairy farms around the Terang and Colac districts for years and worked very hard on the land.

“Our mum has been an inspiration not only to her family but to so many other people at all levels.

“The funny thing is when we gather for her birthday I’ll be the youngest and I’m 63 while four of my siblings are in their 80s and of course the birthday girl will be 110.”

Mrs Sadler, who has lived through two World Wars and the Depression, told The Standard in 2010 that seeing opera singer Dame Nellie Melba and champion racehorse Phar Lap were among a long list of highlights in her lifetime.

Mrs Sadler was a familiar face at race meets throughout the state for many years.

She was very well known in Terang, often volunteering her time at sporting clubs.