Norma Straney

Hansard ID: HANSARD-1323879322-168227

Hansard session: Fifty-Eighth Parliament, First Session (58-1)

Norma Straney

Mr MARK COURE (Oatley)

—Speaker, I would like to congratulate Peakhurst Resident Norma Straney, who celebrated her 107th birthday on Saturday June 20, 2026. Born on the South Coast of New South Wales, Norma has lived an extraordinary life and kept active through dance and physical education. She is incredibly well known in the Oatley community. Beginning in 1946, she taught at local community venues, including the Church of England and the School of Arts, before spending more than 30 years teaching physical culture. Many local residents will remember Norma for her classes at the Oatley Seniors Centre, where she continued to teach even at 90 years old! She is also renowned for her hospitality, particularly her famous homemade scones. During World War II, Norma served with the Women's Auxiliary and later became a passionate fundraiser, earning the affectionate nickname of the "five-cent lady" after raising thousands of dollars for the Cancer Council. Norma is an incredible local resident and I would like to congratulate her on this incredible milestone. I wish her a happy birthday and many more years of good health and happiness.