90-year-old Jo Briand with her husband Vic and family.
Camera Icon90-year-old Jo Briand with her husband Vic and family. Credit: Supplied/Martin Kennealey d475122

Wanneroo pioneer celebrates 90th birthday

Lucy JarvisWanneroo Times

WANNEROO pioneer Jo Briand (nee Mary Josephine McCarney) celebrated her 90th birthday this month.

Mrs Briand was born on October 16, 1927 in Fleetwood, Lancashire England and was the eldest of five children.

She worked for a short time in an old windmill making dentures and then at Ingles Nursery where she met Vic Briand.

PerthNow Digital Edition.
Your local paper, whenever you want it.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

They married on December 26, 1950 after migrating to WA and lived for a short while in Coorow, North Perth, Osborne Park and settled in Waterman’s Bay, North Beach.

Mrs Briand worked at Plaistowe’s Confectionery in West Perth in the canteen in the early years before having children.

The family moved to Wanneroo in March 1960 and built up a successful poultry farm in Elliot Road.

They had two children Susan Finch and Kevin and , three grandchildren Jeremiah, Daniel and Djarrly.

In March 2017 her first great-grandchild Brandon was born.

The Wanneroo resident enjoys fishing, golfing, football, and gardening, and in the early 1970s joined the Wanneroo Senior Citizens where she is a life member.

She was heavily involved with the Wanneroo Junior Football Club while her son was a player.

Mrs Briand has always enjoyed dancing and took her medals for ballroom dancing at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool, England.

In her later years, she took up tap dancing and was a member of the Edgewater Belles and later Top Hat and Tails Dance Troupe.

She celebrated her 90th birthday with family and friends at Mindarie Marina on October 16.

MORE: Wanneroo pioneers find paradise

MORE: Resident reunited with missing dog urges others to register pets

MORE: Telethon Kids Institute partners with NEC to help fight childhood autism

MORE: Watch the East Perth station upgrade