OKIE DOKIE, GORDON IS 80
by Marie Pietersz

Gordon Senn celebrated his octogenarian birthday at the trendy Braeside function centre, Okie Dokie, on Saturday 16 July.

Friends and well-wishers packed the venue for a rock ‘n’ roll night, a fitting theme for Gordon who loves music and dancing and can be seen ‘tripping the light fantastic’ with wife Joyce at Sri Lankan socials and dances each weekend for as long as one could remember.

Gordon was his impeccably-dressed self on his special night, sporting a black-and-white dinner suit with matching white hat, looking every bit the man of the moment.
The oldest of the many Senn siblings, Gordon migrated to Melbourne from Sri Lanka in 1968 with his wife and daughter April. His family grew with another daughter Samantha born here.

Gordon is a lover of all things Ford. He was connected to the Ford company back in Sri Lanka. His interest in this make of motor car didn’t stop after migrating to Melbourne; instead he continued his love and passion for the Ford brand for forty-four years through his business associations with the company’s dealerships in Australia.

His other loves include clothes, shoes and music, not necessarily in that order. His collection of shoes and music will be up there with some of the best. Parties of old rocked to Gordon’s selection of music, enhanced by his skills as host and drink connoisseur.

His dedication to family deserves a mention. He is a great asset around the house. Wife Joyce says ‘He is a very special husband, caring and helpful. He is my biggest supporter. He encourages me in all the social activities I am involved in with no fuss. I only have to ask for his help and he is there by my side to provide it. For this I give him special thanks.”

“Happy birthday, Gordon. Enjoy the eighties decade and keep on keeping young in your own imitable way,” so said all Gordon’s family and friends who celebrated this special event with this very popular and likeable guy at Okie Dokie.

Story by Marie Pietersz