Val Flitton with children Janny, Merryl and David on her 100th birthday in December.
By Marina Williams
At 100, Val Flitton remains a steadfast symbol of resilience, kindness, and service.
Having spent 86 years in Apollo Bay, she is deeply woven into the fabric of the community, and a woman known for her strength, faith, and dedication to others.
“She’s the kind of person who just keeps going,” says daughter Janny.
“Mum has always been strong and practical. People describe her as determined, full of faith, and always thinking of others.”
Yet, faith was not always central to Val’s life.
Born on December 7, 1924, Valma Joyce David grew up knowing of God but never felt His presence.
That changed at 34 when she was married to World War II veteran Jim, raising three children, David, Janet (Janny) and Merryl, while pregnant with their fourth.
Life was challenging. The couple had moved into a new home, and Jim was struggling with post-traumatic stress.
One night, feeling despondent, Val experienced a reassuring presence—an inner voice telling her their unborn child “would be a blessing to me if I accepted it in the right Spirit”.
Though comforted, she had yet to embrace belief in Jesus. The couple welcomed Jeffery in early 1958.
“We were encouraged to have him christened when three months old by Rev Tom Morgan in the Church of England, which I was on the rolls as a member at that time. Jim’s family was attending the Presbyterian Church,” Val says.
“I had faith that God was real, but I didn’t want to commit to Jesus because I didn’t know if He was alive or not.”
That changed during the christening.
“That’s when the Holy Spirit came into my life,” Val says.
“Later that evening God blessed me with a vision of Jesus’ feet, the nail holes clearly visible, I was amazed.
“After years of searching for the Truth, He was revealing it to me that Jesus is alive.
“My absolute joy of knowing my Saviour and newly found Heavenly Father helped me to try and understand Jim’s search for help.
“Unfortunately, there was little help for our veterans in those days.”
Jim took his own life on December 9, 1959.
They had been married for 10 years.
Val Flitton pictured during her nursing career.
“He had a life full of promise,” Val reflects.
“Help came immediately from veteran affairs, Colac Legacy, family and friends.
“It became very important to me to hang in there to keep our home and family together.”
She found solace in the Bible.
“I studied with the help of the Holy Spirit, and then the Lord led me into the Uniting Church,” Val says.
Though faith came later, Val’s commitment to serving others was always present.
At 14, she left school to work in her mother’s delicatessen and, by 17, with the war taking its toll on small businesses, she moved to Melbourne in search of work.
Drafted by the Manpower Directorate, the wartime government labour agency, she joined the domestic staff at Mercy Hospital, where the hospital’s nursing sisters encouraged her to train as a nurse.
“Nursing was a gift,” she says.
Training began in 1944 at the Queen’s Memorial Infectious Diseases Hospital (now Fairfield Infectious Diseases Hospital) and later at the Alfred Hospital Melbourne (The Alfred), qualifying as a nurse in 1947.
During her early nursing years while visiting home, Val met Jim.
They married in 1949 and built their life in Apollo Bay, sharing a love of sport and community.
“Like me, Jim enjoyed playing tennis,” she recalls. They moved into their home in 1957, where she still lives today.
Val’s faith was tested again when Jeffery died in a motorbike accident on September 30, 1978.
In grief, she leaned on God.
“I trusted in Him, even when I didn’t understand,” Val says.
Family remains her greatest joy, embracing seven grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
“We are very fortunate to have the mother we do, and no words can express my gratitude,” Merryl says.
For about 25 years, Val nursed at the local hospital and with a group of young mothers re-formed Apollo Bay’s Girl Guides and Brownies groups.
She has always been active in sports, playing badminton and tennis well into her later years, joining the local bowls club at 70, and winning her first golf championship in 1980.
She played golf until 94 when a second knee replacement slowed her down, though she still hopes to return for a casual hit.
Val remains independent, often walking around town unaided.
“I had a walker after my knee surgeries, but I lent it to my sister-in-law,” she laughs.
“I don’t need it yet.”
She enjoys being a member of the Uniting Church and is “very thankful for the spiritual fellowship” it provides.
For her 100th birthday in December last year, about 300 people gathered to celebrate.
“The people here in the community are very helpful. It’s wonderful, really, the support you get from a small community,” Val says.
Reflecting on her life and legacy, Val remains humble.
“People will remember me in their own way,” she says.
“But I hope they remember a woman of faith in God who loves and cares for all His children.”
