WORLD War II veteran Colin (Col) Robertson, a resident of Woolgoolga, celebrated his 100th birthday on 12 August with a week of get-togethers with family and friends.
Mr Robertson was born in 1925 in Wallacedale in south-western Victoria.
His family moved to Melbourne in 1931 where he went to school and later worked in the printing industry as a compositor.
Joining the Army in 1939 he served in 31/51 Australian Infantry Battalion on Bougainville, the northern and central sectors, on Nauru and Ocean Island in the mid Pacific, Rabaul in New Britain, and several places in Australia.
He was involved with the Japanese breakout at Cowra NSW in August 1944.
Mr Robertson says the best thing about his service was the mateship and the great friendships made with people from everywhere.
He also enjoyed the physical side of being in the Army as he was always very fit and sporty.
His advice to younger service personnel is, “Enjoy the service and make new friends”.
After the war Mr Robertson returned to the printing industry, working at the Army Printing works in Melbourne for six years, then the Government Printing Office in Tasmania.
He enjoyed fishing and built a shack at Arthurs Lake in central Tassie before having several Caravan Parks on the north-coast of NSW.
He has been a bushwalker all his life, a scuba diver, played football, basketball, cricket and athletics, enjoyed square dancing and travelled through Australia many times.
“There have been ups and downs in my life, some things I regret, but you cannot change what has happened in the past, although it would be nice if we could,” he said.
“Generally, I have had a most rewarding and interesting life.
“I have always stayed healthy and fit and now that I am 100, I hope to remain so.
“My life with Pat has been extremely happy, and we do everything together, and I thank her very much for being a good partner.”
He is a recent committee member of the Coffs City Probus Club and the local RSL sub-Branch.
He meets up with the local First Fleet Group regularly and still has a full driving licence.
He says his secret to longevity is that he has inherited good genes, has always been active and played a lot of sport.
Mr Robertson’s birthday morning on Tuesday 12 August was celebrated at home with his neighbours.
On Thursday 14 August, Coffs Probus Club hosted a morning tea party for him at Bluebottles Café in Woolgoolga followed by a surprise trike trip to Raleigh Winery on Friday.
Celebrations on Saturday 16 August were held at the Sawtell RSL Club with around 80 guests including family, relatives and friends.
The Department of Veterans’ Affairs officially acknowledged the milestone and recognises Mr Robertson’s remarkable life and military service.
By Andrea FERRARI
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