Queensland native Gilbert ‘Clive’ Marshall has celebrated his 100th birthday with friends and family, with the World War II ship builder proving you can enjoy independence beyond your 90s.
Born on July 23, 1924, Clive was an only child born to a father who worked as a shipping manager and a talented seamstress mother. She made all of his children’s clothes and his two daughters always had matching outfits.
Clive followed in his father’s footsteps, becoming a Cadet at Evans Deakin & Co where he worked on the design and construction of ships from 1942 to 1946. While Clive was intent on enlisting for World War II, his talent as a ship builder was something Australia’s military didn’t want to lose; he was told to continue building ships to support the Nation’s Navy fleet.
After the war years, Clive studied to become an engineer, working for the Southeast Queensland Electricity Board, designing and constructing their depots.
Outside of work, he married Beryl in 1948. The pair had caught the same tram to and from school, although Clive went to Brisbane Boys Grammar and Beryl attended Brisbane Girls Grammar.
They had three children: Jan in 1950, who became a doctor; Wendy in 1952, who became a teacher; and Graham in 1956, who became an architect.
An Anglicare Southern Queensland Home and Community client, Clive still lives on his own property at Samford, a small town just outside of Brisbane’s outer reaches. He remains physically active while developing and maintaining the property, and still helps care for his daughters’ horses.
So, what’s the secret to a good life?
“Hard work, don’t be selfish, respect others and try to help them whenever you can,” Clive says.
His daughter, Wendy, also shared that his proudest achievement was “marrying the love of his life Beryl and being involved with his family”. Beryl, sadly passed away in 2015, but he was able to celebrate his birthday with neighbours, friends and family, including two of his grandchildren and four great-grandchildren who travelled from Perth.
Clive was also surrounded by the wonderful staff at Anglicare Southern Queensland. He joined their Balance Class in 2018 and said it always helps him to “return home happy and energised”.
He also has at-home exercise sessions and enjoys a respite session each Friday at Anglicare’s Nalingu Day Respite Centre.
“It gives him an opportunity to do something different and to interact with others outside his home. Clive is really thankful for all the staff who look after him, including the drivers who transport him to and from his activities. They are always patient, friendly and interested in his welfare,” Wendy added.
Speaking of enjoyment, Clive still has a strong sweet tooth and loves to enjoy a cold stubbie every evening.
We’ll say cheers! to that. Happy 100th, Clive.
Clive is really inspirational!!
He attends the Balance class at Anglicare Stafford every week -he is more agile than those
20 years younger. He is a living example that you are “never too old to exercise”.
Happy Birthday Clive!!