Von Taylor marked her 100th birthday yesterday with congratulatory letters from King Charles III, the Governor General and Prime Minister – a fitting tribute for a woman whose life has spanned three countries and extraordinary times.
Born Yvonne Valentine Mary Clark on Valentine’s Day 1926 in Portsmouth, England, Von was surrounded by around 20 family members who travelled from Perth, Melbourne, New Zealand and the UK for her birthday high tea at OneCare’s Barossa Park Lodge in Glenorchy.
Glenorchy Mayor Sue Hickey presented the royal recognition during the celebration.
Von said her “ordinary story” was shaped by the “extraordinary times in which we lived”, with her century spanning wartime Britain, post-war migration and building new lives across three countries.
During World War II, she worked at the then-secret Claremont House in Surrey manufacturing Hurricane aircraft, transported to work daily in blacked-out vehicles.
“The war robbed me of my youth and the education I would have liked,” Von said. “But I had more freedom than perhaps I would have been allowed normally; my parents knew that any day could be our last.”
In December 1952, aged 26, Von left England for New Zealand on a two-year travel bond.
She met Jack Taylor in Wellington and they married in 1954, moving more than 20 times across Australia, New Zealand and England before settling in Tasmania 10 years ago.
Von’s varied career included roles as waitress, tram conductress, telephonist and postal sorter, while co-owning businesses with Jack in Coffs Harbour and Sydney.
“I did find Australia gave you the opportunity to be yourself and follow your own wishes without having to conform to what would have been expected back in Britain,” she said. “For me, the best thing about Australia has always been the people.”
OneCare’s Chief Operations Officer Natalie Neilson said the lodge was delighted to host Von’s international family.
“Von has contributed so much to every community she’s been a part of throughout her remarkable life,” she said.
