Our People
8 August, 2026
Skipton's Centenarian
A special celebration took place last Sunday to celebrate a much loved Skipton local. Harry Waldron turned 100 last week and his family and friends gathered to celebrate the long life of an amazing man.
Born in Skipton on 31st July 1926, Harry grew up on the family farm “Madgeville” at Carranballac.
He was one of 13 siblings and enjoyed a happy childhood were there were many chores to be completed, such as milking cows, cutting wood, feeding the horses.
Harry went to Carranballac Primary School of which he still recounts many stories from.
He left school the day he turned 14 to work on the family farm and later he had his own farm at Vite Vite North before semi-retiring to Skipton in 1989 where he ran a sheep stud for some years.
His family say Harry only stopped chasing sheep around four years ago.
Harry is the first male within the ancestral line of the Waldron family to turn 100 since his Great Grandfather William Waldron came to Australia in 1847.
Born the same year as Queen Elizabeth, Harry has received Birthday letters from The King, Governor General, Prime Minister and numerous members of parliament.
Harry has spent a life full of community service, starting at age 15 when he first drove the fire truck for Carranballac Fire Brigade. He was also active in many sporting clubs, playing and serving on committees and volunteering whenever he could, his dedication to his community spans several decades, with continuous service from the 1940s.
But perhaps his greatest achievement was serving as a Lion having joined the Skipton Lions Club as a “charter” member when they founded in 1973.
In 2023 he was awarded a medal for 50 years of service to Lions International and at his birthday celebration in Beaufort on Sunday, Outgoing Lions District Governor Susan Eyton presented Harry with the Melvin Jones Fellowship – the highest honour within Lions International.
He was also presented with a congratulatory letter from Mark Lyons the President of Lions International.
Over his century, Harry has also been an active volunteer with Carranballac Cricket Club,
Skipton Bowls and Golf Club, Carranballac Football Club, Neighborhood Watch, the Friends of the RSL and Carranballac and Vite Vite Fire Brigades.
Harry’s family say he has always enjoyed playing games and cards and still enjoys playing a weekly game or two of crib with his daughter, and grandchildren when they visit.
Over 150 people came to Beaufort on Sunday to mark Harry’s incredible milestone and a life well lived.
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