Sweet Duncraig resident Nettie Bloemhard celebrates 103 years

Mrs Bloemhard lives at Catholic Homes’ Trinity Village and celebrated with a morning tea at the facility with carers and other residents.

Born in Java in Indonesia to a Dutch father and Indonesian mother, Mrs Bloemhard was one of 18 children.

After marrying, she moved to Holland and then in 1977, the couple immigrated to Australia.

They lived in Adelaide and Cairns before settling in Perth, where Mrs Bloemhard met her friend Mathea Gerretzen at a Dutch club in 1988.

Ms Gerretzen described her as being full of life and a good friend to everyone she met.

“When she was younger she worked in an office, loved music, dancing and eating out,” she said. “She enjoyed being out and meeting people.”

Ms Gerretzen has been Mrs Bloemhard’s carer for 25 years and visits her daily. “Over the years she has become my adopted mum,” she said.

“She really is the sweetest thing.