Celebrating a century of life, love and family
BELMONT centenarian Hugh Darragh believes surrounding yourself with family is the secret to a long life.
The 100-year-old recently celebrated his milestone birthday surrounded by four children, 11 grandchildren and 11 greatgrandchildren.
It’s the company of different generations, he said, that has kept him young at heart.
“The people around you really shape your life,” he said.
Born in Melbourne, Mr Darragh moved to Geelong at about five months old and has called the region home ever since. Of the century’s worth of historical events he’s been witness to, Mr Darragh said the Great Depression was the worst.
“It was extremely terrifying seeing my father not being able to work with a family to feed and no money coming home,” he said.
After finishing his schooling in Geelong, Mr Darragh spent four years in the army.
“When it came to the Second World War, I was fairly lucky as I was kept back from being moved overseas,” he said.
“The day the war finished, I remember sitting in Townsville waiting for a boat to go to the Solomon Islands ... we’d just come back from breakfast when the Major came in our tents and said ‘The war’s over’, and knowing I was going back home was the best feeling ever.”
The month of May has always been a time for celebration in Mr Darragh’s family.
It was also the month of his wife Esma’s birthday and the pair’s wedding anniversary.
The couple were married for 72 years before Mrs Darragh passed away from skin cancer four years ago.
Cutting a personalised cake decorated with camouflage frosting and an army hat, Mr Darragh said he was happy to take the next chapter of his life “day by day”.
“Thinking ahead, I know life is probably going to get tougher but I am ready to face it with a smile,” he said.