A Christmas party turned into an impromptu birthday celebration for one of the local community’s oldest residents, Mrs Ivy Johnson, recently.

Ninderry MP Dan Purdie surprised centenarian-to-be Mrs Johnson with a card and a flower arrangement when he attended the annual Bli Bli on Maroochy Historical Society’s Christmas party.

Mrs Ivy, who turns 100 later this month, grew up in Bli Bli, and has a local road named after her family (Bennetts Road). She is one of five generations born and raised on the coast, from her late mother, to her great-grandchildren.

“It was an absolute joy to meet Ivy and surprise her for her birthday,” Mr Purdie said.

“It’s not every day you get to meet a centenarian, especially one with such a strong connection to one of the communities in the heart of the electorate I represent.”

Mr Purdie said Bli Bli, one of the Coast’s earliest settlements, is now one of the fastest growing communities in the region.

“The Bli Bli community has a rich heritage as one of the first settlements in the area, and thanks to the efforts of historical society, that heritage is being kept alive, and passed down through younger generations,” Mr Purdie said.