Faces of Baptcare #39 – Meet Jean Wilson
- Can you please tell us a bit about your life.
I was born in Harrow in the UK. I married my late husband Granville in 1946 and moved to Australia in 1950. I have five children, eight grandchildren and six great- grandchildren.
- Have you worked outside the home during your life and if so, doing what?
I was a secondary school maths teacher in the UK. When I moved to Australia, I often did some fill in teaching in primary schools. Back in my day, once you got married and had a family, women didn’t work.
- What did you want to be as a little girl and why?
A mother with a family. I love being surrounded by children and looking after children.
- 100 years is an amazing milestone Jean! What is your secret to a long life?
God. It’s in his hands, I take it as it comes.
- What are some the most memorable parts of history that you’ve lived through?
Living through the Second World War and five monarchs.
- What are some of your happiest memories?
Having a family, being surrounded by family.
- Do you have a motto for life?
As a Christian, to live with a purpose and to live what you can see as God’s way.
- If you could tell your younger self one thing – what would it be?
Be patient!
- You’ve lived at The Orchards for 21 years – what are your favourite things about it and has it changed a lot during that time?
Granville and I moved to Templestowe Orchards (now known as The Orchards) because it was a village, everybody knew everybody, we were like a family. I have seen the old Templestowe Baptist Church go and be replaced by a very large new one, the building of the Aged Care Facility, the apartment building and now the 52 new Villas. I don’t know everyone like I used to.
