Aged care resident Katie celebrates 106 years of smiles

Bolton Clarke Galleon Gardens, Currumbin Waters resident Katie doesn’t see her 106^th birthday as any reason to slow down.

Family and friends came together to celebrate Katie’s milestone birthday this month, ticking a few more things off Katie’s bucket list on the day.

“I had some sips of champagne for the day, so who wouldn’t feel good?” she says.

“It’s been so good to see all the relations together, from great grandchildren all the way up to my son.

“I wanted to get to 100 so that I could get a photo from the Queen and I thought when she turned 100 I wanted to send her a photo, but now I have one from King Charles and Camilla from when I turned 105.”

Rolling up to the celebration in a classic Rolls Royce and piped in by a bagpiper, with additional performances from a Scottish dancer and a digeridoo player, Katie received the VIP treatment for her big day.

Katie – who only moved into aged care three months ago at 105 - has stayed busy since the move, leading the gardening club and working to implement an indoor lawn bowls competition.

“I love gardening and always have done from a little girl - I would help my father and we would win competitions in our street,” she says.

“I can still do it too and all the plants we have recently put in here at Galleon Gardens, I have planted. And I’m pushing to get a lawn bowls mat so everyone can play!”

Katie led a busy life with her husband Thomas, following their son to Australia from the UK.

“We followed John in 1965 and settled first in Epping in New South Wales, where Thomas opened an office at Parramatta as a draftsman.

After Thomas’ death, Katie spent 18 years living in a retirement village.

“That’s how I got into playing lawn bowls and on the social committee – I really enjoyed those sorts of things.”

While Katie believes there is no real secret to living a long life, she has a few things in mind that she thinks helped.

“I mean I have never smoked and I drank in moderation but I’m not really sure if that has anything to do with it.

“But I think you have to smile, be happy and enjoy life – what more do you want out of life?

“You just have to enjoy it, whatever comes your way.”