93 years young and still loving Vinnies

Lois Bracken has six children, 17 grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren (soon to be 25 – in October), one great, great grandson and at 93, you would think she would slow down but you would be wrong.

For 16 years, Lois has been at Vinnies. Firstly at Vinnies Mornington (Main Street) for a few years before settling into Vinnies Mornington-Tyabb. She loves the comradeship and friendliness of everyone at the shop and the happy feeling she gets when she walks in the door.

Previously, when Lois was younger, she took part in the 3DB radio station sponsored ‘Australian Amateur Hour’, winning her heat at The St Kilda Town Hall and becoming one of the Australia wide finalists.

This led to her being hired as a permanent singer with the house band at The New Alexander Reception Centre in Caulfield. She also made the finals on a 3UZ Sunday night competition called ‘Are You An Artist?’

Lois became a dressmaker of ‘after 5 fashions’, using the family kitchen table to make her creations, until she married her husband, Frank at the age of 21. She then continued to use her skill to make all of her own and the children’s clothes.

Since 1982 she has been a member of the congregation of St Thomas More Church in Mount Eliza and has managed to recruit another member to volunteer with us on Saturdays.

Lois' hobbies include playing tennis for 77 years (from age 12-89) and she took up Tai Chi at the age of 85, at the Mount Eliza Community Centre, although now she continues to practice it from home.

Before Vinnies, Lois was a volunteer with Meals on Wheels for 28 years, which she did with her husband, Frank, until he passed.

Recently Lois and her family celebrated what would have been Frank’s 100th birthday by sharing their stories and memories.

Thank you Lois for everything you give to us all.