‘WE’RE THE HAPPIEST OLDIES IN THE WORLD’
Meet the members of the ‘100 Club’, who reveal how to live a long and fruitful life
Raising a glass of champagne in honour of her 101st birthday, a beaming Phyllis Hill says there are many secrets to her long life.
They include her loving but “very strict” parents. “You didn’t dare drink grog around them,” she laughs sipping her wellearned bubbles.
“I’ve also had a very easy life. I’ve never had any worries,
I always watched what I ate – we never ate rubbish in our family.
“And my [late] husband Stanley – he was a beautiful, calm man.”
Even more remarkable than Phyllis’ age is that she belongs to a unique group: 10 centenarians all living in the same aged-care facility – the community-owned not-for-profit Peninsula Villages on the NSW Central Coast.
All “100 Club” members have lived through the Great
Depression, two World Wars, and seen the introduction of such world-changing inventions from television to the internet.
Now they are more than happy to share their secrets to living a long and happy life as they recall highlights from their combined 1000 years of memories.
Phyllis fondly remembers the day she met her Stanley. It was not long before she turned 18 when he noticed her in the crowd at a fashion parade at Sydney’s newly opened Luna Park.
“This man and his friends were standing behind me, and as the wind blew the leaves into my hair he kept pulling them out,” says Phyllis. “We married when I was 21. It was a quick marriage as he was going to war – we had to organise the wedding in one week.”
Feisty 103-year-old Beatrice “Biddy” Abrahams also had a strict upbringing.
The reason for her impressive age? “Hard work,” she states emphatically. “I was brought up tough. We weren’t allowed to speak at the table. I was a single child and had to fold up all the family’s clothes.”
HARD BUT HAPPY LIFE
Raised by her grandparents on a farm, Biddy’s early life wasn’t easy, but it was happy. “I’ve been riding a horse since I was three
– and I can still ride a horse!” she proudly declares.
“I spent the first 14 years of my life either droving sheep or being fostered out when times were difficult. I used to build fences and round up the cattle.”
Along with a robust lifestyle, Biddy believes there’s another important key to her grand age.
“I never think I’m old,” she says with a twinkle in her eye. “I always think I’m young – all the time.”
At 100 years young, Gordon Briggs also exudes a love of life. Bubbling with boyish enthusiasm, he eagerly recounts excelling at rugby, cricket and tennis. And like Biddy, he too rates staying active for living over a century.
“I even once beat an Australian champion at tennis. I also played snooker and spent a lot of time on the water,” he says.
In true old-fashioned style, Gordon married the girl next door – well, almost. “I married the girl who lived two doors away from us,” he says, smiling. “I lived there when Edith was born in fact. We were married for 53 years. I’ve had a really, good life. I’m really happy.”
Joy Lewis is one year older than Gordon and wonders if never marrying is her longevity secret.
“I’m not sure if there is a secret – except being surrounded by friendly people!” she says happily.