"I had the honour to share in the celebration of Pauline Taffa's 100th birthday. Pauline has lived an extraordinary life."

Address to the Federation Chamber, Statement by Members, Mrs Pauline Taffa

Monday 28 November 2022

On the weekend, I had the honour to share in the celebration of Pauline Taffa's 100th birthday. Pauline has lived an extraordinary life. Born in Lebanon, she moved to Australia with her family when she was just 11 years old. Her family settled in Melbourne. Pauline and her late husband Eddie moved to Cooma in 1947, where they bought a local general store. The store sold everything, from groceries to clothes and kept the fishing tackle plentiful, much of it through the boom with the commencement of the Snowy Hydro project. It was mentioned to me that despite being in her late 80s, Pauline still worked nine to five. After 61 years, Pauline had become Cooma's longest-serving businesswoman, closing the store in 2008.

Among Pauline's fondest memories is when she carried the Queen's Baton through Cooma as part of the celebrations for the 2006 Commonwealth Games, when she was 84.

I took valuable notes on her key to longevity: keeping active by 'just doing something every day', continuing to enjoy a Middle Eastern diet, whilst also making a point of dressing nicely every day. Thank you to the aged-care staff at Warrigal in Stirling for their care and kindness for Pauline.

I'd also like to thank Pauline's family—Metree, Aida and Louise—for inviting me to her celebration. Happy birthday, Pauline.