Sybil Prisk turns 100 – A Life Well Lived

12th Aug 2025

Born on August 8th, 1925 Sybil Prisk has reached a milestone few get to celebrate – her 100th birthday. No one is more surprised than Sybil.
“I never thought I would turn 100,” she says, still slightly in disbelief.
Sybil spent her early life in Inverell, moving to Guyra following her marriage to Jim Prisk. Together they raised three children – John, Julie, and Anne and she credits her family with helping her live such a long life.
Sybil’s early years were shaped by a different time. Life was simple, hardworking, and full of family. Married at 19, Sybil’s life has been, in her own words, “beautiful and wonderful.”
A lover of dancing and dressing up, Sybil remembers with fondness how they always had time to “make ourselves beautiful” and enjoy life.
“In those days, we didn’t go out to work. We worked at home,” she said. Husband Jim was responsible for the day to day operation of Prisk’s Butchery in Bradley Street for many years, and later in life Sybil branched out with her daughter Julie and opened a hairdressing salon.
Sybil has enjoyed good health for most of life and has never really been sick, and says she doesn’t have much to complain about. Her secret? A positive attitude, kindness to others, and deep gratitude for the life she’s lived.
After Jim passed away, Sybil moved in with daughter Anne and her family – an arrangement that lasted 34 years. For the past 12 months, she’s been living at the Guyra MPS, where she’s become something of a social butterfly.
“I don’t get much time to watch Stan or Netflix – I’m too busy visiting the other residents and catching up!”
Family is at the heart of Sybil’s life. With 8 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren, she proudly says, “They are all so beautiful. I thank God every night that I am here and I have such a wonderful family. I see more of the kids now than ever – I’m so lucky.”
Family members travelled great distances – from as far as New Zealand and Perth – to celebrate her centenary.
And celebrate, they did. Sybil’s first party at the Bowling Club was one for the history books – not just for the milestone, but for the weather. On the night of her celebration, Guyra experienced its biggest snowfall in over 40 years. Sybil had to be carried into the club through the snow, making the evening all the more memorable.
“It was a night to remember for more reasons than one,” she laughed.
The second celebration, held at the MPS on Friday August 8th, was also one to remember. “You should have seen all the people and the flowers and cards – I was overwhelmed!”
Her one final piece of wisdom: “Just be kind to people. It’s better to be nice than otherwise.”

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Sybil Prisk turns 100 – A Life Well Lived

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