TECHNOLOGY and the internet are arguably two of the biggest advances in modern history, but for 90-year-old Mount Gambier resident Jean Matthey, it is second nature.
“I think that’s the biggest change I have seen in my life, how technology has grown and how it has become part of every day life,” she said.
“We had a business which we closed about 45 years ago and computers were just starting out.
“No one had any idea how big they would be in the future.
“But I have an iPad and I am on Facebook and it is a good way to keep in touch with my family.”
“A lot of things are much easier now compared with when we were younger.
“There are a lot of things to help like electric stoves and microwaves.
“When we were young, my father worked on the railways and he had cows and we would have to help him with the cows.”
Ms Matthey celebrated two major milestones last month – her 90th birthday and 70th wedding anniversary with sweetheart Brian, commonly known as “Blue”.
Born in the Mount Gambier Hospital on December 14, 1928, Ms Matthey was the first of four children born to Ellen and Stephen Blacketer.
The family lived in Beachport where Ms Matthey grew up and attended the local school.
After leaving school, Ms Matthey worked as a telephonist at the Beachport Post Office.
Ms Matthey said she met her soon to be husband in the coastal town when she was 18.
“My husband was getting over an illness and he came to stay at Beachport,” she said.
“We met on the second day he was there.
“That was 72 years ago and the rest was history.”
The pair wed on December 29, 1948 at the Beachport Methodist Church on a day Ms Matthey recalled as “a beautiful and sunny day”.
The newlyweds settled in Beachport and had three children soon after their marriage.
After a 12 year break, the pair had their fourth and final child.
They now have 11 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren and six great-great grandchildren, many of whom joined the pair at the double milestone event.
Family came as far as Hobart and Queensland to celebrate with the duo.
Ms Matthey attributed good humor as the key to longevity, both in life and in partnerships.
“If you have a happy time together, it makes things a lot easier,” she said.
“You just need to get along with each other and help each other.”
