Orbost local, Margaret Kleinitz, recently celebrated her 101st birthday surrounded by family and residents at Waratah Lodge.
Born in 1924 in Kew, Victoria, Margaret Kleinitz is one of five children.
As the eldest, Margaret was no stranger to hard work, walking four miles to school after milking cows and completing morning chores.
She and her siblings faced their share of struggles, including bullying due to their Scottish accents, a heritage passed down from their spirited Scottish mother.
School days eventually took her to Upwey, but it was at an agricultural college that Margaret’s future took a detour; teachers were urgently needed, and she stepped into the role with her characteristic pragmatism.
Margaret’s teaching career brought to Orbost area as she was required to become a teacher at Corringle in 1945.
To get there, she would ride her bike 11 miles each day from the home she’d boarded with the McLaughlin family in Newmerella through bush trails.
It was here in Orbost she met her beloved Robbie who was in the war.
They settled here to have four children.
The young couple faced the challenges of raising four children without modern conveniences, in a basic home without electricity until 1966.
Today Margaret enjoys having her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren visit.
Margaret has always loved nature, flowers and fauna, especially wildflowers.
Marg currently lives at Waratah Lodge and is always keen to give anything a go.
Having daily walks and friendly chats are Marg’s daily goals.
