Marr4ta Falkenberg celebrated her 100th birhtday with a traditional Finnish birthday party at Finlandia.
A LITTLE slice of Finland was served up at Finlandia Village on July 25, when Martta Falkenberg marked her 100th birthday.
Finnish pastries, known as pulla, and traditional coffee, were served on the special occasion, which drew family and friends from as far as Boston in the US.
Tributes were paid to Mrs Falkenberg's Finnish ancestry and local politicians Bowman MP Andrew Laming and Redlands MP Peter Dowling planned to pop in to the party with letters of congratulations.
Martta was born in Finland on July 25, 1912, and married Arbo Falkenberg in 1932.
During the war, Mrs Falkenberg was forced to flee her home twice while her husband was away serving in the army.
After the horrors of World War II, the couple decided to emigrate to Australia with their five children.
They undertook the five-week voyage across the Pacific to Australia on the SS Strathmore and arrived in Melbourne in 1959.
The family finally settled in Algester, where Mrs Falkenberg continued living after her husband's death in 1983.
Five years ago, she moved to Finlandia Village in Thornlands, where the party was held.
Daughter Anneli Salo said her mum enjoyed singing Finnish songs she had not heard for many years and catching up with her three daughters, including one from Melbourne.
Her eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren also made sure the party was a lively affair. Mrs Falkenberg was surprised her great-grandson Eric Jortikka, travelled from Boston.
