The Life of Wonderful Win

Win recently celebrated her 105th birthday at The Terraces, where she has been a resident since 2007. She has made some memories in her time, finding a love for travel that she shared with her husband.

Win, born Winifred in 1916 in Shanghai, China, was the middle child of William and Nina Singer. Her father worked for the Shanghai Municipal Council, and her mother did charity work. The family lived in a large house where Win has fond memories of climbing the fruit tree next door with her two brothers, Alfred and Maurice.

Win attended the Thomas Hanbury English School for her entire schooling. She left China for Sydney, Australia in 1940 to pursue her dream of becoming a nurse. During World War 2, she was a registered nurse. Sadly, Win did not see her parents again after leaving China. She is unsure what happened to them as they disappeared in the war.

In 1948, Win and her nursing friends travelled to Lao, New Guinea, where she met Jack, who worked there at the time. They fell happily in love and two years later, returned to Australia to be married. The following year they had a baby girl, Elizabeth. After another short time spent in New Guinea, where Win taught the native children, they settled back in Brisbane, Queensland.

Win and Jack were bitten by the travel bug and travelled the world together by boat to Europe, UK, Russia, and South Africa. “We had a great life together”, she recalled. They enjoyed going to parties throughout their travels; Win especially loved dancing and singing, and still does. In retirement, they moved to the Gold Coast and continued travelling on cruise ships.

In 2007, after Jack passed away, Win became part of The Terraces community. Her love for travel did not end as she would continue going on cruises with her daughter, Elizabeth. She loves spending time with Elizabeth and is proud as a punch of her three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

“Family is very important to me”, Win said. She finds great joy in having a cuppa with Elizabeth and reminiscing about her wonderful life. Win has made great friendships at The Terraces and is always found attending the group activities on offer.