Arthur Webb is still a country boy at heart.
Mr Webb celebrated his 100th birthday on August 17 with a country and western theme party at with family and friends at John Paul Village, Heathcote, acknowledging his country upbringing.
He was born in the mining town of Mongarlowe in the Southern Highlands, he daughter Shirley Challinor said.
“His family moved into Braidwood when he was six years old and that’s where he got his first pair of shoes,” Mrs Challinor said.
Mr Webb was very involved in his local community.
“He helped a couple of mates establish an ambulance station in Braidwood and they ran a volunteer ambulance service.
“He was a keen cricketer, tennis player and gardener.”
Mr Webb worked at the NSW manager of eucalyptus oil collection for the Plaimar company.
He then moved on to establish an apple processing plant at Katoomba and then became a storeman for Johnson and Johnson at Ryde where he worked until he was in his early 70s.
Mr Webb married Florence in 1947 and they had two children, Shirley and Keith.
Florence died in 1962 and Mr Webb raised Shirley and Keith as a single father.
“We moved to Canberra so he could keep us together for education and he travelled to Braidwood every day for work,” Mrs Challinor said.
He eventually remarried. His second wife, Lyn passed away in 1989.
Mr Webb has six grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren.
“He is very much attuned to the children and grandchildren,” Mrs Challinor said. “He’s very much part of their lives.
“He still goes to exercise classes and carpet bowls and enjoys a laugh and a chat with everyone.
“He’s very easy-going. He’s had a very hard life but I’ve never heard him complain.
“He’s a glass three-quarters full type of person.”
