June 2002

Violet is 100 and still kicking goals

Violet Lee received the best present and the biggest surprise on her 100th birthday—a visit from South Melbourne football great, Bobby Skilton.

Violet was born in Tasmania in 1902 and moved to South Melbourne with her family in 1924.

Since that time, Violet has lived within the shadows of the old South Melbourne football ground.

Like so many in the neighbourhood, Violet was passionate about the exploits of ‘the Bloods’.

She was devastated when the club moved to Sydney but her support never wavered—she is the oldest member of the club, now the Swans.

On her birthday, family members, friends, neighbours and representatives of the Brotherhood of St Laurence and the Office of Housing gathered to celebrate the occasion.

Violet worked for many years as a seamstress in Flinders Lane, where she gained fame making suits for business leaders of the city.

After retirement, she moved from private accommodation to an Office of Housing unit in Albert Park.

She remains fiercely independent but enjoys the regular visits from brother Tom and niece Barbara who visit three times a week to help with shopping and social activities.

Asked her recipe for long-life, Violet said it was her family genes—many female family members have lived beyond 100.

Violet retains a keen sense of humour.

In answer to a question about her expectations for the future Violet said she wanted to see the Swans win a premiership and hoped not to pay any more rent.

As public housing tenants are rent-exempt from their 100th birthday she is assured of at least one wish.