36,520-odd days of living for Westhaven retiree

For Bolton Clarke Westhaven retirement village resident John “Ralph”, variety truly is the spice of life – and what he believes is his secret to reaching his 100^th birthday.

Born on 18^th July 1924, Ralph spent many of his younger years on a wheat farm and started his adventures in the Blue Mountains of New South Wales as a teenager.  

“My friends and I would ride our motorbikes into the bush as far as we could get and spend the rest of the weekend walking through the mountains,” Ralph said.

“I visited virtually every cave system in New South Wales from Yarrangobilly through to Katoomba and Tuglow.

Ralph spent many years travelling for work and finding new interests along the way from the Navy to medicine and engineering, which is something he says has helped in living a long life.

“I had a busy life and a lot of it was connected with the sea – they often say once a sailor, always a sailor and I think it’s true.

“I have certainly had variety but I have been interested in everything I have taken on.”

When it comes to his own secrets for longevity, Ralph says it’s an answer we are all searching for, but he has a few hunches as to why he has celebrated a century of living.

“It’s a strange feeling turning 100. I must make that point that you don’t grow old, only mature. If you feel you are mature, you’re not old – there’s a subtle difference.

“The secret to living to 100 is a very big question and no one seems to have the answer.

“You have to do what you like doing and don’t do the things that are going to harm you body – you have to remember you only have one, so look after it.

“I was thinking the other day, that I’ve reached 36,520-odd days of living which makes it a long time when you look at it that way!”