Raymond takes to the skies to celebrate 100

Murwillumbah’s Raymond Lindsay celebrated his 100th milestone with a big grin as he took flight in an aerochute over his home town recently.

Jan Smith told The Echo, ‘Raymond George Lindsay was born in England on 18 March, 1926. He trained as a commando in WWII, and as a paratrooper, but the war ended before he saw action’.

‘After the war, he was in the British Police force for 10 years. He married in this time and had three daughters.

‘His second marriage to Judith has been for 55 years and they are still happily married.

‘Raymond arrived in Australia in the late 1950s and has had a very full life, working in the retail trade, in audiology & running an organic goat farm. 

‘Raymond and Judith have lived in Murwillumbah for a long time, and Raymond has had many years of community service there, helping to establish and run the Murwillumbah Food Pantry, with which he is still very involved, helping out every week 

‘Raymond attributes his longevity to not drinking or smoking, eating healthy, staying free from stress and keeping active

‘He has had a week of celebrations and as he has always loved flying, we organised a special treat for him.

‘Matt Fox from Tribal Flight was delighted to take Raymond for an early morning flight in his Aerochute. We all met at Murwillumbah airstrip at 6.30am. As there was a heavy mist, we had to wait a bit, but eventually the sun broke through and Raymond was strapped in beside Matt.

‘Judith and one of his daughters watched on and we all cheered as they roared down the strip and into the air. 

‘They had the most amazing flight towards Mt Warning and over Raymond’s home. He had the biggest grin when they landed, and he couldn’t stop talking about it for hours.

‘You would never know Raymond was 100! An inspiration to us all’, Jane added.