By XAVIER SMERDON
A DAREDEVIL great-grandmother will celebrate turning 90 by entering the lion’s den at the Werribee Open Range Zoo.
Jean Dickson, who was born and raised in Yarraville, originally wanted to jump out of an airplane for her birthday but an injury forced her to tone down her celebrations.
Not to be put off by her age she decided to get up close and personal with the king of the jungle.
“I like any of the animals really and I always wanted to see lions but of course I’m not really able to travel to Africa anymore,” Ms Dickson said.
“I just can’t wait to get my walking frame into that lion’s den.”
Ms Dickson’s husband Stan dropped food from planes in Papua New Guinea during the war and she said she always wanted to try and experience some of the same things as him.
When she travelled to New Zealand she ticked that off her list by going up in a helicopter and a light aircraft.
“He was a real daredevil,” she said.
“I don’t know that I’d call myself adventurous, I just do what I can.”
Two years ago Ms Dickson travelled to Borneo to see the Orang-utans, but she said she was “flummoxed” by the idea of her latest adventure.
“It came as a bit of a shock to me when I heard I’d be doing it, I had to take a panadol,” she said.
“I don’t know why everyone is so interested, I’m only 90, not 100.”
Ms Dickson’s first job was at her parent’s fruit shop, Hindley’s, on Somerville Rd in Yarraville.
During World War II she made ammunition for the soldiers.
“I’ve had a full life and I’ve got a wonderful family around me,” she said.
