Community & Business
24 January, 2026
Cooee Residents 100 years (x3)
Three Centenarians - One Community Celebrating 300 Years of Life in Gilgandra Region
The Gilgandra Region has proudly celebrated a remarkable milestone with three residents turning 100 years - an extraordinary 300 years of lived experience within one community. The centenarians - Kevin Millgate (May 2025), Marie Adams (November 2025), and Betty Priddis (January 2026), each celebrated their 100th birthday, marking not only personal milestones, but a moment of shared pride for the Gilgandra community.
Gilgandra Shire Council' mayor Doug Batten said it is a rare and special occasion for not only the residents of Cooee Lodge Hostel but the whole region.
“To have three residents reach 100 years of age in one community is a wonderful achievement. Together, Kevin, Marie, and Betty represent 300 years of stories, resilience, and contribution to the life of Gilgandra.”
Each centenarian has lived through immense change, from world wars and economic shifts to technological transformation and the evolution of rural life, all while remaining connected to a community they call home.
Betty Priddis celebrated her milestone birthday on Friday, January 16, saying the celebrations came as a surprise. “I had no idea there would to be such a celebration. It was a real special surprise. Having my family here with me means everything, that’s what’s made it so special.”
Looking back, Betty credits a daunting move to Sydney in her youth as something that shaped who she is today.
“Reflecting back on my life, leaving Biddon for Sydney was quite frightening at the time. It was a big move for a country girl. I followed my brother to Sydney and didn’t really know where to go, but it turned out to be a great experience and shaped who I became," she said.
Council acknowledged the milestone with a special birthday luncheon at Cooee Lodge Hostel, with Betty’s family and friends, and a visit from council’s deputy mayor Nick White.
Council congratulates Betty, Kevin, and Marie on an incredible milestone, and thanks them for their contribution to the Gilgandra Region.
