There’s no stopping Dawn Armstrong

Dawn Armstrong turned 92 in early July, and one pearl of wisdom she’s happy to pass on is that age is nothing but a number.

Born in 1932, a life of fulfillment for Mrs Armstrong has always meant full days, a busy and full plate, and service given back to the community.

From her delightful cooking and memorable Christmas fruit cakes for Meals on Wheels, her involvement in the Hospital Auxiliary, running the hospital kiosk, and starting the Narrabri Show

Auxiliary Kitchen 34 years ago, Mrs Armstrong has provided over 60 years of volunteer community service through Narrabri organisations.

A woman of many firsts, she is one of the original members of the Narrabri Women’s Bowling Club and an original Lioness for the Lions Club Auxiliary.

Her relentless dedication has been well-celebrated through numerous awards; as a past recipient of the Australia Day Citizen of the Year award, Sportswoman of the Year, SIAHTO Woman of the Year, and the James D Richardson Honour award for recognition of service to the Lions Club, of which she has been a member for over 38 years.

“All these life memberships and acknowledgements, I didn’t ask for them. I just like to do what I can. I still help at the Narrabri Show and just sit down when I need to.”

As numerous and life-spanning as her achievements are, including raising three children, the age of 92 seems like another passing blip for Mrs Armstrong.

“I didn’t feel any different turning 92, age is only a number, I feel fine. It doesn’t worry me,” said Mrs Armstrong.

“When my mother passed away, I thought, gee I’m the oldest generation now which frightened me for a little while, but I’ve gotten used to it now, I’m still here doing all the things I want to do.”

While Mrs Armstrong was working, volunteering, and raising children, her nights were reserved for pursuing her passion of baking and decorating Narrabri Show-winning cakes, even earning a life-member award from the Narrabri branch of the Cake Decorator’s Association.

These days, you’d still be lucky to catch her while she’s zipping around town, or according to her daughter Patricia, you’d have to make an appointment first.

“I have always had a full plate – I think my children didn’t get as much support as they could have because I worked quite a lot,” said Mrs Armstrong.

A week in the life of Dawn Armstrong includes activities like bingo, cooking for Meals on Wheels, running the hospital kiosk, morning tea with friends, going to the bowling club, and a set weekly date to play cards.

“I see people almost every day, and if I have a day off, I will probably end up at the bowling club,” said Mrs Armstrong.

“If I give up, I’ll just sit there and do nothing, right now even when I’m doing nothing, I’m still sitting and crocheting.

The need to keep moving and take on as many projects as humanly possible appears to be a family trait, and the potential key to the fountain of youth, and both her mother and grandmother were well known for their dedication to work, the farm, and the community.

From a tailoress at McDonalds, Dawn went on to work as a radio announcer for the local taxi service and the Townhall NRMA Garage, both jobs she did for 14 years each.

“When I was 15, I started working at McDonalds Fashion and got 16 shillings.

“When I turned 16 and got a pound, I thought I was made.”

Mrs Armstrong also retains the title of the only original member remaining from the Narrabri Women’s Bowling Club, joining in 1975.

Alongside her recognition for winning many singles championships, her streak is still going strong.

“I thoroughly enjoy playing bowls, I got runner up the other day in the pairs’ championships,” said Mrs Armstrong.

“The bowling girls asked why I didn’t give up some of the activities I do now that I’m this old.

“And I said why should I? As long as I can drive my car I’m going to go ahead and do all these things because I’ll have plenty of time to sit on my front verandah and wave at everyone when I can’t drive.”

Mrs Armstrong’s recollections of three floods, numerous droughts, and living through wartime are events that all stand out during her years in Narrabri.

“The big 1955 flood sticks in my mind a lot, It swept through so fast, but never left the house, we climbed up on the roof and would keep a ladder that we would climb down to check the place out.

“Then there were the war years – in Yarrie Lake my mum formed a committee, and they bought a sock machine and made socks and did up little parcels to send to Narrabri and they used to send them off to the soldiers.”

Through all her accomplishments, her greatest achievements in life have been through her three children, five grandchildren, and soon-to-be 15 great-grandchildren.

“Having my three children was the happiest time in my life, they bring me a lot of joy and I absolutely love being a great-grandma,” said Mrs Armstrong.

If she could do it all again, Mrs Armstrong reckons her fondest memories are from the simple days of her youth when a horse and sulky were the way to travel.

“I had a wonderful childhood growing up on a farm, with horses, bikes, and tennis racquets being a prominent feature of the many days spent playing out on the land,” said Mrs Armstrong.

“We made our own fun, people today don’t get to do that anymore, they just sit on their phones.

“I wouldn’t change my childhood for the world or the stress today that the kids have got, there are so many traumas they experience today.

“Back then it was simple, we only had one pair of shoes, and we had it tough, living like that teaches you respect and appreciation, for everything that you have.”

Now Mrs Armstrong’s goals are to keep ticking off the years, after passing her father’s age of 79, she still has a few birthdays to catch up to.

“My mum died four days after being 95 so that’s my goal now, and my aunt lived till 103 so there’s definitely plenty more living to do.”