Community & Business
12 May, 2026
Celebrating 100 wonderful years
HARD work, dedication, family and community spirit define the life and times of Nancy Plozza, who celebrated her 100th birthday on 27 April.
Born on that day in 1926, Nancy was surrounded by many loving relatives and friends who gathered to share stories and mark the wonderful milestone, and to admire the many letters of congratulations from dignitaries such as King Charles and Queen Camilla, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, and the Governor-General of Australia.
Nancy has lived a full and busy life on the Tablelands. She married in 1941 and, alongside her family, helped to run the Chewko telephone exchange and post office from the family farm, playing an important role in keeping local families and farmers connected in the early days of the district.
The Plozza family later moved into tobacco farming, working the land for many years before selling the farm in 1972.
Nancy then made her home in Mareeba, where she continued to support her family and proudly helped her sons at Plozza Garage.
Her greatest pride has always been her family. She is the loving mother of four children and has created a wonderful legacy with 14 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
Over the past century, Nancy has witnessed enormous change throughout the Mareeba and Tablelands community, and she continues to be admired by all for her strength, resilience and kindness.
As her loving family said, “reaching 100 years is a truly remarkable achievement, and we are proud to celebrate the beautiful life and memories she has shared with so many generations”.
