Connie Turns 100!
A great occasion was celebrated at Peppertree Hill Village on Friday 25 November when over 300 family members and friends gathered to congratulate Connie Fordham on reaching her personal centenary - 25 days before Rowville itself reaches that landmark.
Another tribute much appreciated by Connie was given by Brendon Fevola, representing Connie’s beloved Carlton Football Club.
Red Cross members and the staff of Peppertree Hill served a celebratory luncheon during which Rowville Secondary College choir provided an entertaining program.
In their congratulations, all of the speakers praised Connie’s record of outstanding community service that includes 87 years of support for Red Cross with whom she continues to be a member.
Well done Connie, and God bless you! May we long continue to enjoy your company among us.
Bryan Power
Speaking in Public to Celebrate Rowville’s 100th Birthday
Rowville Toastmasters Club enjoyed a special meeting to celebrate the occasion of Rowville’s 100th birthday. After weeks of planning with Caroline Stacey, Knox Council Officer, we participated in a joint meeting with Knox Toastmasters Club on Wednesday 26th October at Knox Civic Centre contributing to Knox’s Heritage Week.
We were honoured to enjoy a speech by Bryan Power president of the Rowville Lysterfield Community News. He spoke about his three volume books tracing the history of Rowville.
Speeches from members of both clubs gave visitors a real insight into the fun and success of public speaking through self confidence and the development of speaking skills.
You too can improve your confidence and skills in public speaking. Come and find out without any obligation.
You are most welcome to join us for our Christmas meeting on Tuesday 13th December 2005
We meet second and fourth Tuesdays –7.30pm at Rowville Uniting Church, Fulham and Bridgewater Roads, Rowville
For More Information Contact:
Vice President Membership: Roger Lloyd : 0418176556
President: Henk van den Bergen : 5968 3668
Website: www.rowville.toastmasters.org.au
Happy 100th Birthday, Connie!
Rowville's oldest and most respected citizen, Constance Victoria Fordham, will celebrate her 100th birthday at Peppertree Hill Village on Friday, 25th November.
From the time that city-born Connie arrived in Rowville in 1937 as a young bride, she involved herself energetically in almost all of the clubs and organisations that emerged as Rowville's population grew. Connie's daughters, Janet and Joan, in their tribute, have listed the names of those groups. In all of them, Connie took on leading roles from time to time, usually as secretary.
Connie, we are all grateful to you for your example of what one person can do for their community. We are very proud of you and may we continue to enjoy your presence in Rowville for years to come.
Bryan Power
Connie Fordham is Rowville Red Cross
Connie has been a loyal and dedicated supporter of Red Cross for 87 years; from the age of 13, in 1918, to this her 100th year, 2005.
Connie was involved in Junior Red Cross; worked for Red Cross whilst a member of the Girl Guides Association and, when coming to Rowville, assisted with Rowville-Lysterfield Gymkhana Club in fund raising for the Red Cross.
She was a member of Scoresby Red Cross during the 2nd World War and in 1971 was a founding member of the Rowville Red Cross Unit and continues to be a vital member of this Unit. .
Her record of positions held in the Unit are an indication of her willingness to be involved she has been Vice Chairman, Secretary and Public Relations Officer. Australian Red Cross awarded Connie with her Long Service Medal in 1986, 1st Bar in 1991 and 2nd Bar in 2001.
At our recent Annual General Meeting, Connie 'took the Chair' and conducted the meeting with dignity and grace.
Connie Fordham IS Rowville Red Cross. She is much admired and loved by us all God Bless her.
Vauna Jaensch
Tribute From Connie’s Daughters, Joan Elliott and Janet Webster
For as long as we can remember, Mum has always been a very active person. When we were small children, our parents owned a market garden in Heany Park Road. Mum helped Dad plant the sprouts and cabbages during the day, then walked back through the paddock to our home in Bergins Road to get lunch, often meat loaf with tomatoes and onions. She then walked back to continue the planting until late when she returned home to cook our dinner.
Mum belonged to many clubs: Scoresby State School Mothers’ Club, Red Cross, Angliss Hospital Auxiliary, Progress Association, Football Club Ladies’ Auxiliary, Recreation Reserve, Housewives’Association and the Gymkhana Committee. In each of these she took an active part. Her special contribution was to cook jam, particularly marmalade (which we as children didn’t like much). Often because she cooked for so long the bottled gas would run out.
In later years the grandchildren loved to go to the farm for the school holidays. They always ordered “little stew” which Mum happily cooked for them.
Even though she was busy during the day, Mum would knit into the night by the light of a kerosene lamp to make our jumpers. Although money was scarce we never went cold.
Mum’s great love is the Carlton Football Club. She never misses listening to their matches. She often told us how as a young girl she would climb through a hole in the fence at Princes Park to get in free to watch the Blues. Her stories of the old days are very interesting.
She still lives independently and was very upset when we had to disconnect her stove as she was sometimes falling asleep while cooking dinner, resulting in burnt pots. She has now learned to use a microwave. Mum has very set ideas but we usually manage to get round them.
Her family of seven grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren wish her the very best for her 100th birthday. We are looking forward to sharing this wonderful day with her.
Tribute to Connie Fordham
The caller told me the bad news, "Connie has fallen and broken her hip." I went to the hospital expecting to find her laid low. But there was Connie, sitting up in bed, despite the broken hip, telling the doctors they should make a donation to the church! This illustrates some of the qualities many of us admire in Connie Fordham:
RESILIENCE. Like many people of her generation, Connie has lived through some hard times and personal challenges. She is a battler who gets up, keeps going and loves life. She still has a remarkably sharp memory and mind.
PASSION. Connie is more than a survivor; she's a contributor. She hasn't just lived a long life; she has been determined to make a positive difference to her world. Rowville is a better place to live because of her efforts.
BOLDNESS. Connie says what she thinks. She has lobbied and campaigned for a number of good causes. She respects authority, but not pomposity.
MISCHIEVOUSNESS. There is a lively spark of fun and joy in Connie. She enjoys a laugh and a stir.
LOYALTY. Connie has stuck with her beloved "Blues" through thick and thin. She has given long service to the Red Cross, Angliss Auxiliary and Rowville Baptist Church.
Connie Fordham is a woman of faith who has served others and made a contribution that will live on after her. She is a gift from God and we give thanks for her and how she has invested her 100 years.
Rev. David Devine
Senior Pastor
Rowville Baptist Church
Who is this 99 year old lady, soon to be 100?
A lady with a very sharp mind, very strong willed and determined. Only hampered by impaired vision and fingers not as nimble as in previous years.
Connie can still chair a meeting and move a vote of thanks in the formal, correct manner. It was only a few years ago that Connie could mentally add up the cost of purchases before the shop assistant, using a calculator , could tell her the amount to pay.
The jam making skills Connie learned at Domestic Arts School served her and the community (the latter especially financially) very, very well over the years. Connie was renowned for her marmalade and pickles. Although Connie could not see well in her early 90s her jam was always an excellent colour and “setting”.
The Fordhams were well known for their veggie and flower gardens. Visitors never went home empty handed. They loved to share what they had. Connie still loves to give a posy from her garden to anyone who visits or to those she visits and to speakers at meetings.
Connie is a regular and punctual worshipper at Rowville Baptist Church and a regular attender at Red Cross, Friendship Club and devotions at Peppertree Hill. Connie loves going on outings too and it is only serious illness that keeps her away from any of the above activities.
Connie has life membership of William Angliss Hospital Auxiliary and has received several City of Knox awards.
Connie was a girl guide and still likes to hear of their activities. A one-eyed Blues supporter she most definitely is since her earliest years of growing up in Carlton.
Connie may not be able to read the newspaper or watch TV but she keeps track of the news from radio 3AW and so can converse on the latest news. I’m sure the wirelesses – two of them – are sometimes on 24/7.
As friends we sometimes agree to disagree but this is what friendship is about.
Connie, we congratulate you on achieving 100 years, on maintaining your many interests and being able to participate and enjoy life. A very happy 100th birthday!
Marjorie and Ron Lade