Northam resident Gwen Overton will celebrate her 100th birthday on July 3, 2017.
Gwen’s niece Donna said her aunt has always had a strong sense of community, which is reflected in her extraordinary career as a volunteer.
Notable is the 31 years spent at Meals on Wheels where she, along with others, established Northam’s first Meals on Wheels service.
She also contributed 15 combined years volunteering at Bethavon and the Avon Valley Residency.
Gwen drove patients from Northam to Perth for specialist appointments, and also regularly drove the school bus.
She has been nominated for multiple community and state awards, most notable was her nomination for the Australia Day Citizen of the Year Award at 85-years-old.
She continued to volunteer up until 96 years of age.
Gwen was born in Norseman in 1917 and spent time in Kalgoorlie before moving to Northam.
She met her future husband William Overton at a dance in Jennapullin and later married in 1937 – eighty years ago.
The pair have four children and seven grandchildren.
Mr and Mrs Overton spent their married life farming in Northam following a stint in Kalgoorlie where Bill worked as a miner to save money to buy their first farm in Northam.
Other ventures included working as Country Mail Run contractors – delivering papers, bread, and dry cleaning to areas including Irishtown, Jennacubbine, Goomalling and Kellerberrin.
Sadly, Gwen lost her beloved William in 1977 to cancer.
Unfortunately Gwen had a fall and it is unsure if she will be celebrating her birthday in Perth or Northam, but has many friends and loved ones who will make sure she has a fantastic day.
