News
1 May, 2024
Happy 103rd b’day, Herbie
Caboolture resident Herbert ‘Herbie’ Roehrich celebrated a big milestone on April 23, turning an exciting 103 years young.
His golfing friends took him out for a celebratory lunch at the club, which his therapist from Sunnymeade Park Aged Care Community, Tony Griffiths, said “he thoroughly enjoyed”.
Herbie is well known at the Caboolture Golf Club, having spent many afternoons having a drink and talking with the other patrons, resulting in lasting friendships.
Despite living in an aged care facility, Herbie still goes to the club a couple of afternoons each week when some of his golf buddies come and take him out.
Originally from Hindinberg, Germany, Herbie and his wife Elizabeth immigrated to Australia in 1955, working as a labourer for the New South Wales Railways at Eveleigh Workshops.
Herbie eventually had his German trade papers accepted, after attending Sydney TAFE College, resulting in him becoming a ground engineer for QANTAS from 1964 to 1981, still remaining friends with some of his work mates to this day.
Before coming to Australia, Herbie served in the German Air Force as a paratrooper during World War II and was in Normandy during the Normandy landings. Herbert served in the Netherlands, France and Germany.
His carers at Sunnymeade Park Aged Care Community, where he has lived for approximately 20 years, have said that he is still doing very well for his age, despite having some health issues.
“Mr Herbert Roehrich may be 103 years young, but still going strong,” Mr Griffiths said.
Herbie lived in the Sunnymeade Park retirement village up until February this year, when his deteriorated health resulted in his move into residential care.
Due to having a “rough night”, according to Mr Griffiths, Herbie was unfortunately unable to participate in an interview about his milestone birthday.
Mr Griffiths did say “his eyes lit up when he heard a reporter wanted to talk to him” and is happy to share his story in the paper.
We wish Herbie a very happy birthday and another beautiful year ahead!
