Looking back: Alan Moore, as a young soldier, below, and waving to wellwishers on his 100th birthday from the balcony of his home in Mornington. Pictures: Gary Sissons
ARMY veteran Alan Moore and his friends at Corowa Court, Mornington, are gearing up to celebrate his centenary on Friday 20 November.
It’s an occasion to be cherished by this genial contributor who notched up a solid record of service during WWII, as a long-term Frankston Rotarian, as 2019 Victorian senior of the year as well as receiving awards for 40 years of volunteer service at the Anglicare Mount Eliza Op Shop.
Born and raised in Camberwell, Mr Moore was in his final year at school when war was declared in 1939. After working at odd jobs, he enlisted and fought with the AIF 39th Battalion against the Japanese in New Guinea, on the infamous Kokoda Track.
Returning home, he sought out his former girlfriend with a view to getting married only to find “she’d met someone else and was gone”.
“That turned out to be lucky, because then I met the love of my life, Joan, and we had two beautiful daughters,” Mr Moore said.
The family lived at Mount Eliza for their married life while Mr Moore managed the baby foods department at food manufacturer Heinz. The girls attended Toorak College and later went on to reach the top of their professions as a doctor and physiotherapist.
Mr Moore later spent a large part of his free time presenting at schools across Victoria on his experiences during the war and reinforcing his message of peace and collaboration.
He said he is “very grateful” for being able to spend so many of his retirement years at Corowa Court.
“All the residents should be grateful for being able to live here, especially for the way they have protected us from the [COVID-19] virus,” he said.
A man with many friends, Mr Moore was complimented by one who said: “Alan, despite his age, is very articulate and has an amazing ability to speak on any subject.”
