Community
29 May, 2026
Grand dames
FOUR women at Pyramid Residential Care Centre are celebrating a combined 401 years of life in what staff have described as a rare “quadruple-century”.
Between May and August, residents Linda Jones, Elvira Fapani, Irene Rayment and Doris Anderson will each mark milestone birthdays, ranging from 100 to 101-years-old.
Linda Jones joined the “100 Club” on 14 May. A resident at Pyramid Residential Care Centre since 2011, Ms Jones is a former president of the local bowls club and has knitted more than 100 teddies for the hospital foundation and the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
She also continues to lay wreaths on ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day in honour of war veterans and her late husband.
Elvira Fapani, known as Vera, celebrated her 100th birthday on 11 May. Raised in Aloomba, Ms Fapani spent her early years surrounded by family and community in the district south of Cairns.
Irene Rayment turned 101 on 29 May, making her the eldest of the four women. After moving to Cairns in 1945, Ms Rayment taught at St Francis Xavier’s and Parramatta State School before raising her family in Gordonvale.
Ms Rayment also hand-made two of her daughters’ wedding dresses and later saw one of her grandchildren wear her own 1940s wedding gown.
Asked the secret to a long and happy life, Ms Rayment said: “Keep busy, appreciate your life and love your family.”
Doris Anderson will celebrate her 100th birthday on 18 August. Born on a cane farm in Aloomba, Ms Anderson later helped run the family’s cane-hauling business after working for a local trucking company.
Her family still recounts the story of her father travelling by horse and cart to Cairns to fetch a doctor before her birth.
Ms Anderson said the secret to longevity was to “have faith and use your creative abilities to keep busy – cook, crochet and create crafts that are beautiful.”
The milestone celebrations at Pyramid Residential Care Centre have highlighted the women’s long-standing ties to the communities south of Cairns and their contributions through family, service and community involvement.
Staff at the centre said the women’s stories served as a reminder of the importance of fellowship, staying active and maintaining strong family connections across generations.
