90 years' young and the jigsaw of Macksville

She's more likely to be found twice a week down at the Senior Citizens' Centre in Macksville enjoying a workout with her classmates at Foley Fitness 'Staying Stronger for Longer'.

Lesley is a Macksville girl born and bred. Her father's maternal family (Field) arrived in Macksville from the Macleay in the late 19th century.

Her father, Harold Hahn, was born in Macksville in 1894.

Lesley's mother's family (Morrison) arrived in Macksville in the early 1920s. Lesley and her sister Beverley were born at Macksville Private Hospital on the corner of Station and Bent (now Wallace) streets, diagonally opposite the Presbyterian Church. The house is still occupied though no longer a hospital.

Lesley's father began his working life at Reid and Fotheringham's General Store, then in River St.

He enlisted in WWI, and found his job waiting for him on his return. Later he took his young family to Gleniffer where he bought a small general store, and then to Urunga to another little shop.

He moved back to Macksville and bought the newsagency, next to Malouf's (now the Department Store in Wallace St), where the family lived in the residence above.

Like her father, Lesley went to Macksville Public School, and, as there was no high school in Macksville, she completed her education as a boarder at MLC Burwood in Sydney.

Apart from those few school years, some overseas trips and more recently motor-homing around Australia, Lesley has lived all her life in Macksville.

She began her working life in the newsagency, and in time, like her father, became a vital part of the business life of the town.

In 1952, Harold opened a gift and jewellery store on the other side of Wallace St where Mid Coast Travel is now and Lesley managed this store until he sold the newsagency in 1954. Eleven years later, Harold moved the jewellery store back across Wallace St to where the trophy store is, and on his retirement, Lesley managed that store till it was sold in 1987 and she herself retired.

In the meantime, Lesley took leave from work to marry Neil Kent and establish their family: Deborah and Stephen, both educated in Macksville. Neil was working at Gibbard's Garage where Mitre 10 is, and later began his own windscreen business.

Debbie and Stephen both went to Sydney to further their education, Stephen being apprenticed to a watchmaker. On completion of his apprenticeship he returned to Macksville to become the watchmaker in the jewellery business.

Lesley has had some serious health problems in the past few years, involving major surgery, and she attributes her remarkable recovery in part to the fact that she keeps fit and socially involved with the amazing seniors at Foley Fitness.

Lesley would encourage all senior citizens to join her on Mondays at 10am and Thursdays at 8am in the Senior Citizens Centre. At $7 per session to cover the cost of rent and the maintenance of equipment, Lesley says it's still the cheapest show in town.

Nambucca Valley reaches out to tourists

Some NSW townships cannot be defended

,