NEWS DESK
Age proves no barrier to enjoyment Touch-free crossings installed
Stephen Taylor steve@baysidenews.com.au A WOMAN who has been a part of Melbourne’s growth and prosperity for more than 100 years celebrated her 108th birthday last week. Marjorie Andrew, a resident at Benton’s Lodge, Mornington, was born at Moonee Ponds on 15 January 1913. Speaking to The News last week she said: “I grew up in Mordialloc, attended Mordialloc Primary School and finished my Leaving Certificate at night school. “My first job was as a clerk with the State Electricity Commission, first in Flinders Street and then Cheltenham.” After marrying Cyril “Bruce” Andrew at Mordialloc’s St Nicholas Church in May 1939, Ms Andrew faced the prospect of losing her husband when WWII broke out just four months later. “He was away for five long years and the world changed in the meantime,” she said. Looking back on those chilling times, Ms Andrew said part of the war effort for women who stayed at home was to work in the munitions factories, drive ambulances and staff cars, learn field nursing and first-aid, and to fill other positions traditionally held by men. “So, I learnt to drive, got my licence and drove management around, as well as defence force officers,” she said. “I joined the Red Cross and was a volunteer for 70 years. “In those days it was very much frowned upon for a woman to be behind the wheel of a car, so it is not surprising that when Bruce came home he was quite upset and forbade me to drive – until one night when he needed my driving skills, and the rest is history.” The couple had a daughter, Francine, who in turn had one son, and Ms Andrew says she is “blessed with two great grandchildren to date”. “I like to try new things and, even though I am getting on in years, if the body and mind allows, I will continue participating,” she said.
MARJORIE Andrew celebrates her 108th birthday. Picture: Gary Sissons
TOUCH-FREE pedestrian crossing signals are set to be installed across the Kingston local government area. The new signals will be installed in Aspendale at 67 Station St and 101 Station St/Laura Street, in Chelsea at Thames Prom/73 Mulkara Drive, Chelsea Heights at 217 Thames Promenade, Mordialloc at Governor Rd/26 Park Street, Cheltenham at 1 Bernard Street and 94 Bernard Street, and Clayton South at 24 Fairbank Road and 80 Fairbank Road. Kingston Mayor Steve Staikos said that council “decided to trial touchfree pedestrian signals to help reduce any local spread of COVID-19 or other infectious diseases. The trial has found that these touch-free signals were not only effective at managing traffic, they were also easy for community members to use.” The touchless push button has an additional sensor that helps to trigger the pedestrian crossing light without having to touch it. “Touch-free pedestrian signals are safer to use than conventional buttons, as they reduce the chances of infectious diseases being transmitted and spread within the Kingston community,” Cr Staikos said. “Kingston Council is committed and open to all suggestions that support community safety and social distancing, as we continue to guard against the spread of COVID-19.”
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20 January 2021
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