Longevity runs in the family for centenarian Dulcie Rush, who recently celebrated her 100th birthday with friends, family and staff from Anglicare Southern Queensland’s Home and Community services team.
Born in Booval (Ipswich) on 9th August 1924, Dulcie’s life has been a remarkable journey of dedication and support.
Her parents, William and Betsy, married just two years before Dulcie’s birth. They lived on the same street where Betsy grew up, with the Walter family calling Ipswich home for life.
The local theatres in Booval were almost a second home for the family as they would often head out on a Friday or Saturday night. There a young miner from Blackstone, Robert James ‘Jim’ Rush spotted Dulcie.
Three years her senior, Jim eventually plucked up the courage to sit beside her on a rare solo visit to the theatre. They courted for seven years, eventually marrying in 1947.
“A happy time was spent recently at a surprise party arranged by workmates and friends of Mr. and Mrs. Jim Rush (nee Dulcie Walter), to welcome the young couple home from their honeymoon. Party was held at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. W. Walter, Booval, and the programme was supervised by Francie Kent. Games were played and supper was served buffet style,” read a lovely newspaper article from Patricia’s Patter in The Queensland Times.
While Jim passed away in 2015, September 20th will be their 77th wedding anniversary.
Jim was an avid footballer for the Blackstone Rovers and that passion for sport would define the family’s legacy, even though Dulcie was not standing on centre stage herself.
Jim was deeply involved with the Ipswich & District Rifle Club, and Dulcie was right by his side, working tirelessly in the kitchen during prize meetings and helping out with Jim Rush Shooting Supplies from 1955.
Jim was the club captain and president, representing Queensland and Australia. For nearly 60 years, she and Jim didn’t miss a single state championship or Queen’s Price, and Dulcie was always there, even when Jim travelled internationally from the sport.
Their children, Lyn and Rob, took up the sport, as did one of their grandsons. Dulcie’s dedication earned her the honorary title of Life Member of the Ipswich & District Rifle Club.
Now, Dulcie is a grandmother and great-grandmother, and she continues to live in the family home, staying connected with the world and family events.
She has also added to the family’s history of longevity, with her grandmother Mary Ann Ainsworth falling just a few months short of her 100th birthday.
