101 reasons to smile
THEY have knocked down 101 years of life, and there will surely be plenty more stories to come from these three centenarians.
Max and Lorna Holmes, and Hilda Battison, are some of the most colourful characters at local aged care home Bolton Clarke Glendale.
Max and Lorna have been married since 1943 and met before the start of World War II, having both served in the armed forces.
Hilda was born and raised in Pentland, and credits a country upbringing for her long and prosperous life.
The trio are all largerthan-life characters and they love to have fun, tell jokes and live their lives to the fullest.
“Whatever happens, happens,” Lorna said when asked what the secret to a long, happy life is. “We’re very happy ... our family has done well and we’re proud of them all.
Max and Lorna have three children, six grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
“We all feel blessed. We’re very happy,” Lorna said.
Max is 24 days older than Lorna and the golden couple met while they were living in Tasmania, being introduced though a friend of Lorna’s brother. “When I first saw him, I thought I’d keep him,” Lorna said with a laugh, with Max adding, “We used to go to the pictures on a Saturday night, we got on very well. We used to go fishing and do all those sort of country things.
“We went to Ingham, Scotland … all over Europe.”
Hilda was born on October 1, 1920 and has three children, seven grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren.
Her daughter Janelle said Hilda was still sharp and as competitive as ever when it came to card games.
“She still thrashes me at cards, she doesn’t like to lose,” Janelle said.
“She doesn’t have much sight and hearing, but she’s very quick in the mind.
“I don’t think she’s ever had a drink.
“She just goes along with life,” she said.