Santa celebrates incredible age
MESSAGES from across the world have been received in honour of Westcourt resident Santa Vasta who today reaches the incredible milestone of 105.
Santa will be presented with letters from the Queen, Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Governor General Sir Peter Cosgrove, Cairns Mayor Bob Manning, Bishop James Foley, Leichhardt MP Warren Entsch and Mulgrave MP Curtis Pitt.
Family and friends will gather at Mercy Place Westcourt today to celebrate the momentous occasion.
Born Santa Giuffrida on February 16, 1914 in the small Sicilian town of Milo, she was the second youngest in a family of six girls and two boys.
“Life was extremely difficult with WWI creating hard times, as well as taking the lives of family members,” says granddaughter Nancy Wotherspoon.
“Santa married Giovanna Vasta in 1947 and they immigrated to Australia in 1949 after their first child, Salvatore, was born.
“They came to Tully as Santa already had family there and sister Maria and her husband Giovanni Patane, and another sister, Giuseppina and husband Horice Cantarella, close by in Innisfail.”
Santa and Giovanni made their home at Silky Oak near Tully, where their family expanded to include children Joe, Alfina and Sarina.
Santa’s life has been devoted to her family and she has always been thankful to the many people who have offered their kindness and transport, as neither she nor Giovanni drove a car.
“Many joyous moments were had over the years, especially when Santa’s 12 grandchildren visited them in Tully or they hopped on the rail motor and visited family in Cairns,” Nancy said.
In 1990, Santa and Giovanni moved to Edmonton to be closer to medical facilities and family.
“With the loss of her soulmate Giovanni in 1993, Santa continued spending time in the garden, at church and with family and later moved to Smithfield to live with her daughter, Sarina.
“Her last journey to Sicily was in 2006, when she spent a few weeks in Milo with her nieces and nephews.
“She also visited the Vatican for the first time,” Nancy said.
“Santa has seen so much change in her lifetime. It is hard to imagine now at 105 the things she has seen and the challenges she has faced.
“Above all the things that really stand out through it all is how strong and resilient my Nonna is and what an inspiration to us all she is, including her 16 great grandchildren.
“We are extremely proud of her,” Nancy said.
For the past three years, Santa has called Mercy Place Westcourt her home and considers staff and management part of her family.
“Santa’s great grandchildren have enjoyed their weekly morning teas with Nonna at Mercy Place and it’s so wonderful they have this opportunity,” Nancy said.