Don’s 99 not out and keen to bat on

A lifelong Sunshine Coast resident whose family name is etched into the region’s streets and history, Don Parkyn has marked his 99th birthday surrounded by family.

Don celebrates 99 years

Born on December 19, 1926, Don’s life mirrors the growth of the Coast itself – from farming and fishing to surf lifesaving, education and community service. The Parkyn family remains one of the most recognisable names in the region, with Parkyn Parade in Mooloolaba and Parkyn Road in Tanawha honouring pioneering contributions.

Reflecting on reaching 99, Don says he feels “happy and pleased to have seen and achieved so much”.

“The hard work and commitment paid off and I have a loving family,” he says.

Growing up on the Coast in the 1920s and ’30s involved plenty of walking and hard work. The Parkyns lived in Mooloolaba in their original family building on the corner of Venning Street and The Esplanade, opposite the Mooloolaba Hotel.

Don began school at age six, attending classes initially held in the Mooloolaba Methodist Church before the state school was built. His older brother Arthur, 15 years his senior, was a junior teacher there and later became principal.

The family’s farming roots run deep – from cane cutting at Bli Bli to banana farming at Buderim and Tanawha, and later work at the Buderim Ginger Factory.

Don says farming and physical labour taught him dedication to tasks and kept him very fit.

“It meant you could manage and achieve your goals, and people saw you as reliable and genuine,” he says.

A champion swimmer and surf lifesaver, Don joined the Mooloolaba Surf Life Saving Club at 16, encouraged by Arthur, who already held senior roles. He won local and state titles in 1942 and 1943, followed by Australian titles in 1945.

It was after surf club duties, enjoying a double Sarsaparilla at the Mooloolaba Hotel, that he met Dorothy, who was working behind the bar.

Don and Dorothy Parkyn’s wedding day on April 15, 1950

The couple married on April 15, 1950.

Dorothy, who proudly described herself as the Coast’s ‘first cougar’ due to being 18 months older than Don, passed away on September 1, 2023, aged 98.

Don credits their long marriage to being “dedicated to each other, with a strong family and work ethic: no task or challenge was too difficult”.

He hopes people remember the Parkyns as “a respected family, involved in the community… with a very strong work ethic and a circle of very loyal friends and family”.

Don’s advice to younger generations is simple and enduring: “Work hard to achieve your goals, stay honest and loyal to friends and be respectful.”