General News
17 April, 2026
Jack marks 100th in style
Family and friends gathered last Sunday afternoon to celebrate 100 years of memories with Maryborough local Jack Ohlsen.
Mr Ohlsen was born on April 7, 1926 at 50 High Street, Maryborough to parents Christian and Emily Ohlsen.
He attended Craigie Primary School, and was known to occasionally ride his horse to school.
Mr Ohlsen then completed his secondary years at the Maryborough Technical College, which was a seven mile bike ride from his home in Craigie.
After secondary school, he was then employed on the railways during World War II as a fireman on the steam trains.
Mr Ohlsen then headed off to Wonthaggi to the state mines and later returned to Maryborough still with the railways.
Attending a Saturday night dance at the Workers Hall in Maryborough, he met his wife Joyce Isabel Nicholson. They married on December 26, 1947.
Two years later, along came their first child, Pamela Joy, followed by Dawn Collenette three years later, and last but by no means least, their family was completed by the birth of Russell John in 1955.
Mr Ohlsen worked at the Maryborough Flour Mill as a boiler for a couple of years and then turned his attention to the Maryborough Dairy as an assistant manager thanks to the then manager Charlie Lovett. When he retired, Mr Ohlsen took over as manager.
He officially retired at the age of 65 but was asked to work until he was 68, which he happily did.
Mr Ohlsen became heavily involved with the Maryborough Marching girls with his daughters.
He also joined the Talbot Bowls club with son-in-law Doug where he enjoyed many good times and trips away with fellow bowlers. He then proceeded to the Maryborough Highland Society where he became a board member and volunteer at the Highland Gathering for many years. Mr Ohlsen was also a life member and was a treasurer with the Royal Park Football Club.
He closely supported and followed with immense interest the AFL Football career of his son, who played for both Collingwood and Carlton Football Clubs, including playing in a Grand Final with Collingwood.
Mr Ohlsen’s love for the outdoors, and the Murray River in particular, saw him have regular annual fishing trips from a young age right through to just recently.
He enjoyed these trips with son, his son-in-laws, grandsons and great grandsons, together with many friends, spending many weekends sitting on the banks with a fishing rod and VB in hand. He would love to have one more trip which the family will do their best to achieve.
He received a letter of congratulations from King Charles a couple of days prior to turning 100.