By Aaron Cordy
BIRTHDAYS are special at any time of life. As we get older, the celebrations become a little less important, unless you have celebrated 99 birthdays beforehand.
This Wednesday, 22 October, 2025, Mooroopna Place resident Keith Morton will notch up a century when he celebrates his 100th birthday.
Keith has lived a colourful life, filled with travel and adventure with his wife Valda, who sadly passed away in 2017. The pair had two daughters, which led to four grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.
had two daughters, four grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and two great-greatgrandchildren. A talented artist, Keith holding one of his drawings. Photo: Aaron Cordy
A motorbike tinkerer, a passionate artist, and former VAFA Football umpire, and a very amateur house builder, Keith has lived in parts of Melbourne, Sydney and the Gold Coast before following his eldest daughter to the region and eventually settling in Mooroopna Place.
A mechanical engineering course and a commercial art course meant he was unable to become a pilot in World War II because he was considered a part of a protected industry.
“I worked at government aircraft factories during the war. I was called up in 1943 when I turned 18. I wanted to go into the Air Force because I was working on an aircraft as a cadet engineer at Fisherman’s Bend, and I was interested to be a pilot. But when I went for my medicals, they said, ‘Oh, look, we can’t put you there because you’re working in a protected industry. So, you’ll be absolved from military service.’ So that’s probably why I’m still here today,” said Keith.
Despite not being able to participate in the war as a pilot, his service to the country was still incredibly valuable.
Today, Keith still has a sharp mind. His room in Mooroopna Place is filled with books and his paintings, and will now include a letter from the King for reaching 100 years young.
