One of the Sunshine Coast’s trailblazing female business leaders has reached another amazing milestone.
Peggy Morse celebrated her 103rd birthday surrounded by family and friends at Sundale’s James Grimes Care Centre on December 10.
The avid Collingwood Football Club supporter relocated to the Sunshine Coast with her husband Rae in the 1970s, following a successful business career in Melbourne.
She joined the Nambour Chamber of Commerce and would later become just the second person to be awarded Life Membership, for her 25 years of outstanding service.
Peggy also received a Maroochy Shire Council Australia Day Award in 2002 for her service to the local community.
- Maroochy Shire Council – Peggy was proficient in the procedures and decisions taken by Council and instrumental in helping other members who attended.
- Nambour Chamber of Commerce – Life Member.
- Endeavour Foundation – Peggy worked tirelessly as a volunteer for a decade in the Nambour retail store.
- Council and Police Working Together – Peggy played a key role in the ‘Nambour a safer place after dark’ initiative which saw safety lighting installed throughout the town.
- Retail Traders Association Nambour – With Peggy’s guidance as Treasurer, the Association raised $49,000 for a variety of Nambour causes.
- Sunshine Coast Junior Eisteddfod – Publicity Officer.
- Lorry Loco Committee – Foundation Secretary/Treasurer and later Vice President.
- Women’s Forum Group – Peggy helped members become confident and proficient in public speaking.
Sundale CEO Helen Sharpley said Peggy was an inspiration.
“Peggy is a trailblazer who championed female business leaders long before it was fashionable,” Ms Sharpley said.
“I doubt there is a charity or a community group in Nambour that didn’t benefit from Peggy’s time, wisdom or advice.
“Peggy is a much loved and respected resident at James Grimes Care Centre and is the fifth Sundale resident to celebrate a 100+ birthday in the past three months.
“I think that’s due to the amazing care, great company, simulating lifestyle activities and genuine love we have for our residents.”
Peggy’s son, Rick Morse, said she had been determined to help the community.
“Mum never thought of herself as a female trailblazer, but she was,” he said.
“She was also the first female elected to the Independent Post Office Association of Victoria Committee.
“Mum was only in her 50s when she retired and was still full of energy and ideas, and wanted to get involved in the Nambour community to help and give back whenever possible.”
He said she had spent the past two years in a Sundale Care Centre.
“Prior to that she was in an independent living unit at Sundale for 11 years.”
“It was a simple transition for Mum to move into care on the same site at Sundale as she already knew and liked the staff, many of which have attended her birthdays.
“The team at Sundale are friendly, caring and bring a smile to Mum’s face.”
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