Bendigo Advertiser | THE roar may not be as ferocious as it once was, but for Kyneton centurion Mavis Arkinstall, she still loves her Tigers.
Mavis is the Kyneton Football-Netball Club's oldest life member and celebrated her 100th birthday on Friday.
"Receiving the life membership of the club many years ago was a big milestone in her life, and this is another," Mavis' son, Ian Arkinstall, said on Friday.
"We were always a sport-mad family, and she has also been involved in the cricket and tennis clubs.
"Once she committed herself to a club or organisation, it was hands-on to the hilt.
"The whole sporting scene in Kyneton has been very important to her, but not just sport, the community as well.
"She was one of the driving forces on the original committee for the first swimming pool in Kyneton, and has also been involved with state and high school ladies auxiliaries."
Mavis, who is Kyneton born and bred, but now lives in Gisborne, spent her 100th birthday at Kyneton District Health following a hip operation.
KDH celebrated Mavis' 100th birthday on Friday afternoon, as did the Tigers, who presented her with flowers.
Ian - who played in Kyneton's 1966 premiership team during his short career - recalls the bitter disappointment Mavis felt in 2013 when the Tigers withdrew from the Bendigo Football League senior competition because of a lack of numbers.
"It broke her heart when the senior team went into recess a couple of years ago... she was devastated," Ian said.
"She always still asks how Kyneton is going."
Kyneton FNC president Rob Waters said Mavis' 100th birthday was a chance to reflect on her contribution to the club.
"We're rapt that Mavis has reached the incredible milestone of turning 100," Rob said.
"We hope she has a great day and we'd love to get her at a game this year."
I might look 100, but just quietly, I don't feel like it
Mavis has always been described as a busy bee, who was often approached to run for local council, but was unable to find the time in between her commitments with the Tigers' football committee, cricket activities, church choir, teaching Sunday School, the high school ladies committee and the campaign for a Kyneton pool, which opened in 1958.
"I liked the water, but I didn't like to get my head wet," Mavis said.
"I felt that if the kids had nothing to do, there would be too many temptations."
As for turning 100: "I might look 100, but just quietly, I don't feel like it," she said.
Mavis' husband, Harry, died 18 years ago, but she has a "beaut collection" of three children, seven grandchildren and six great grandchildren.
