A century of Elaine Holschier

She received numerous bouquets and cards from well-wishers, filling her room and the dining area with beautiful floral arrangements.

“I had many people that I used to know around,” she said.

“And people sent me these beautiful flowers.

“They all came and brought flowers, all of them in the dining room — I didn’t know what to do.”

Elaine Blackwell Dorman, was born on July 18, 1924, a daughter for Henry William and Ada Ellenor Dorman of Echuca.

She married her late husband Henry (known as Harry) Holschier on January 20, 1951. The couple had three children: Julie, Stephen and Diane, and lived at Paringa Vale, a property in Womboota.

Mrs Holschier’s wedding, particularly her dress, was described in detail in the January 27, 1951, edition of the Riv.

“A beautiful gown with French embossed lamé was worn by Elaine Blackwell, second daughter of Mr and Mrs H. W. Dorman of Echuca, when she was quietly married on Saturday, January 20, in Melbourne, Henry George, only son of Mr and Mrs George Holschier, of Womboota,” it said.

“The fitting bodice has long sleeves and a V neckline with petal collar and the full skirt, which had a bustle, fell into a long train.

“The bottom of the skirt was finished with a ruffle of tulle which was edged with a silver thread, and the sleeves, collar and neckline were similarly treated.

“Her fingertip tulle veil was caught with a plait of lamé, with a small spray of orange blossom at each side of the head; she carried a bouquet of gardenias.”

During her working life, Mrs Holschier worked as a nurse at Echuca hospital, even attending the ERH reunion in April this year.

One of her fondest memories is travelling to Europe with her nursing friend Loris Jones.

“(A doctor at the hospital) came in, and he grabbed some papers from the travel agent and said, ‘who thinks they’re going to see the Queen at Buckingham Palace?’,” she said.

“Well, we weren’t going to see any Queen, but we said, ‘we’re going’.

“And he said ‘you’re going? They wouldn’t have you, they have to have people with manners’.

“We were wild.”

With some assistance, the two women did, in fact, make it to Buckingham Palace.

“I went home and I said to Harry, ‘Harry, Loris and I want to see the Queen at Buckingham Palace,” she said.

“In the morning, he said, ‘I can get you to Buckingham Palace’.

“Harry rang up Tim Fisher ... he was the Member of Parliament in NSW, and he said, ‘of course. I can get you there.’

“We went ... I think that was the best excitement I ever had.

“We saw Diana, the Queen, they were all there. We really had a most gorgeous time.”

Ms Holschier was involved in community groups and fundraising initiatives, like the Glanvillage Group, who advocated for better facilities at Glanville Village.

When asked about how it feels to be a centenarian, Mrs Holschier hasn’t really noticed a change.

“I don’t feel any different,” she said.

“I’ll tell you what, I sleep a lot.”

Mrs Holschier moved into Wharparilla Lodge around Christmas time last year when her family was travelling to Europe and unable to take care of her in the home.

She enjoyed her stay so much that she decided to move in permanently.

“I went in for a little stay in here,” she said.

“I ran down here one morning and said, ‘would you have a room for me?’

“They said there was nothing until after Christmas. My daughter picked me up and took me home.

“We got home and the telephone was ringing like mad.

“They said, ‘if you come straight away then you can have the room,’ so I went in the morning.”

Since arriving, she has been very impressed with the nurses and the facility.

Mrs Holschier has even managed to try new things in her time at Wharparilla.

“Wonderful girls here,” Mrs Holschier said.

“They’re very lovely, I can’t say anything else.

“I never even had a crumpet until I came here.”

Mrs Holschier is grateful for her good health, which she credits for reaching 100.

“I’m very fortunate, I haven’t been sick or anything,” she said.

“While I’m in here, I wouldn’t be sick. These girls wouldn’t let it.”