A LOXTON resident has received the surprise of a lifetime after neighbours and the local Men’s Shed rallied to celebrate his 100th birthday last Tuesday.
Due to the coronavirus, plans to celebrate Loxton Community Men’s Shed member Joe Ganner’s birthday at the Loxton Hotel had to be cancelled.
However, that did not stop the festivities, with neighbours and local Men’s Shed members organising a drive-by past Mr Ganner’s house.
Loxton Community Men’s Shed president Dean Kerley said the surprise was two weeks in the making.
“We contacted all the members – I contacted some and Des contacted some – and we’ve had an excellent roll up,” he said.
“Under the present circumstances, we can’t have much different.”
Neighbours and members of the Loxton Men’s Shed sung a chorus of ‘happy birthday’ from the street and their cars, while Mr Ganner stood out front with his two daughters.
Mr Ganner, who had no prior knowledge of the event, said the event was overwhelming.
“I never expected anything like this,” he said.
“It’s very touching.”
Mr Ganner said it was great to reach such a milestone, but that he did not feel any different.
“I feel the same as I did when I was 19, but I’m trapped in a 90-year odd body,” he said.
“I am still a member of the Men’s Shed, and I enjoy going twice a week down there to make things, and join in with other members to do beneficial things for the community, such as repair jobs.
“Otherwise, I don’t feel any different.”
Loxton Community Men’s Shed secretary Des Schliebs said he was glad to be able celebrate the milestone with Mr Ganner in this time of social isolation.
“We’re quite blessed to have Joe and his family in our community,” he said.
“(It’s amazing) he is such an active member of the shed at a hundred years of age.
“As I sort of said in the card, he shuffled into our shed and into our hearts as well.”
Mr Kerley said the shed would have another celebration once self-isolation restrictions are over, but for now, Mr Ganner said he was just happy to spend his birthday in Loxton.
“Everyone is so friendly, as they always have been, and I like to feel that we look after each other here,” Mr Ganner said.
“We’ve been very fortunate with this virus that Loxton has seemed to miss the bug.
“I’m glad to see that Australia as a whole is getting over it.
“I feel that once we’re out, knowing the spirit of Australians, we shall come out the other side.”
Mr Schlieb said once the shed is running again, everyone will be welcome to attend.
“As far as the shed is concerned, obviously this time of social isolation probably highlights what this shed is all about,” he said.
“The shed is about people coming together because they need to socialise, and this period of social isolation has quite a devastating effect on some members of the Men’s Shed.
“When we do get the nod to open this shed up again, it will be the best day in the lives of some of these men to get back and be able to socialise with men and gather around the table and share a joke.”