But, there was something remarkable about this particular event.

Hazel Chapman, long term resident of Muswellbrook, celebrated her 100th birthday on August 12, 2017. 

Mrs Chapman was joined by family and friends, who travelled from as far away as Singapore, to help celebrate this magnificent milestone. 

Hazel and her late husband Ken (dec. 2002) were married in Sydney in 1936, where they owned and operated a saw manufacturing and repair factory in Silverwater.

They decided to move to the country and purchased a farm at Hollydeen (Denman) in 1950.

In 1956, they sold the farm and moved to Muswellbrook.

Ken and Hazel conducted their saw doctoring business in Brook Street for three years, before gaining a contract to deliver mail between Muswellbrook and Cassilis.

In addition to this contract, Ken and Hazel delivered parcels, small goods and newspapers to Denman, Merriwa and all places in between.

In 1968, Ken and Hazel went onto purchase “109” Taxis in Muswellbrook.

The business continued until 1977, when they decided to retire and move to Hawks Nest.

They happily lived their retirement years in Hawkes Nest until 1999.

Due to ill health, they decided to return to Muswellbrook and purchased a house in St James Crescent.

Ken and Hazel had six children; John (dec), Patricia, Janice, Robyn, Brian (dec) and Robert.

Hazel has sixteen grandchildren, thirty-four great-grandchildren and ten great-great grandchildren.