‘Speedy Gonzalez’ celebrates milestone birthday

Nicknamed “Speedy Gonzalez” for her love of motorcycles and quick turns on a mobility scooter, Thelma Gough marked her 100th birthday on Tuesday.

The resident of Metlifecare’s The Avenues Village celebrated the milestone with long-time friends Bob Gudex and Eunice Barnes, who had also turned 100 - a combined 300 years of life.

Born in South Africa, Gough moved to New Zealand in 1984 with her husband, Cecil.

The couple first settled on Herald Island in the Upper Waitematā Harbour at Auckland, later relocating to Hamilton, and finally Mount Maunganui, where they lived for 27 years.

The couple enjoyed motorcycling together. When her two boys were in school, Gough had a 30cc German-made motorbike.

Cecil eventually got “a good motorbike” and they would travel together for fun or to visit family.

“We were used to being out on the bike and just enjoying that sort of life.”

The experience became a good foundation for transport in their later years.

Cecil passed away in 2015, aged 90, leaving behind his mobility scooter.

“His health had declined, and I started using his scooter,” Gough said. “Eventually, I just took it over.”

After an incident in which she was knocked off it, Gough had to downsize her scooter.

“I got a smaller one — not quite as fast,” she said.

She still liked feeling the cold air and breeze on her face: “I feel alive”.

Reflecting on her motorcycling days, she said simply, “It was freedom”.

Gough credited her “calm nature” as the secret to her longevity.

Themla Gough celebrating her 100th birthday.

She received a congratulatory letter from King Charles marking her centenary.

It wasn’t her first royal recognition – she also received a letter from Queen Elizabeth II for her 65th wedding anniversary.

“It’s rather nice to have both King and Queen,” she said.

In her younger years, Gough and her husband were keen 10-pin bowlers. “I’d be disappointed if I didn’t get a strike,” she said. “But you have good days and bad days.”

These days, Gough keeps mentally sharp by meeting monthly with a group of friends from the Wesley Methodist Church – friendships that date back to 2006.

Her close friend Liz Dooley said the Goughs’ warmth made maintaining their friendship easy.

Dooley said friendships became even more precious with age.

“People tend to forget about you. But your old friends always seem to give you a ring.”