A century on: Mrs Jean Winter being handed her letter by the late Queen from Moira Shire Mayor Libro Mustica. Photo: Moira Shire Council
A teacher, mother and grandmother, Cobram’s Jean Winter turned 100 last Monday.
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A respected teacher from Cobram Secondary College, she was a significant help to Moira Shire’s current mayor, Libro Mustica, teaching him fluent English.
Mrs Winter was a significant help to Cr Mustica when he was aged 13 after he emigrated to Australia from Italy in the late 1960s.
When he was 13, Cr Mustica’s lack of English skills had him falling behind in school, but Mrs Winter helped changed that.
Teacher: Mrs Jean Winter was a former teacher of Mayor Libro Mustica and taught him english. Photo: Moira Shire Council
"It was a lifesaver considering the challenges I faced during my schooling up to then in Australia, and this was able to help me grow into the person I am today," Cr Mustica said.
"She was an instrumental part of my life in helping me learn in school, but understanding what was going on was super important".
He said Mrs Winter was an exceptional teacher and was a game-changer to him later in life.
"When I was 23 years old, I was a first-time project manager, and my first job was at Mrs Winter's home and didn't know where to start, but Mrs Winter's house was a game-changer to me. I didn't run away from the complexity of the job, given that, as they say, the rest is history," he said.
Cr Mustica said that as mayor, it was a great privilege to hand Mrs Winter her letter from the late Queen Elizabeth II, which is believed to be one of her final letters to those who turn 100 years of age.
Mrs Winter is the third person to turn 100 during Cr Mustica’s time as mayor and said handing the award out brought a tear to his eye.
"I was so proud as mayor to hand Mrs Winter her letter from the late Queen, and it brings a tear to your eye for the amazing work she put in throughout the community. The Winter family have been great to the town of Cobram," he said.
He said the community was active on Facebook once they heard the news and said it was great to see people celebrate her life.
Carer Jess at Cobram Regional Care said it was great to be part of the festivities as a carer and said it was a special day.
"It was pretty cool to be part of it, and Mrs Winter is going well currently at her great age," she said.
She said it was a beautiful day, and Mrs Winter gave a speech to the staff, which she said was a humbling experience.
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