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One West Australian aged care home has celebrated the birthdays of not one, but five(!) centenarians in the last month. Amana Living’s Wearne House in Mandurah marked the remarkable achievement of five residents reaching a combined age of 506 years.
Centenarians Muriel Tasker, Ethel Quadrio, Dorothy Chilcott, Chu Hin Saw, and Emma Smoker celebrated with a party attended by over 100 guests, dressed to the nines in their best 1920s garb.
Amana Living chief Stephanie Buckland said it was important for the Amana community to take the time to honour their residents with family and friends.
“These centenarians have lived through some of the most transformative events of the last century. We are thrilled to celebrate their incredible lives," she said.
The five Amana Living residents have come from vastly different walks of life, with some emigrating to Australia many years ago.
Born in Newcastle Upon Tyne, Muriel Tasker, turned 103. She emigrated to Australia in 1928, and has called the Wheatbelt and Bunbury home. She is still an avid reader, a talented painter, and an enthusiastic Canasta player.
Ethel Quadrio, 102, spent her early years raising a family in rural Victoria, where she played a crucial role in her community by preparing the deceased for burial – a vital service, given the nearest funeral director was 80 kilometres away. She moved to Bunbury in her 60s, continuing her active community involvement.
Known for her boundless energy and positive outlook, Dorothy Chilcott, 101, has led an extraordinary life, from her adventurous childhood to her entrepreneurial ventures alongside her husband, Mick, which ranged from owning a taxi firm in Bristol, England, to running a Mandurah roadhouse.
After escaping a Chinese Triad by joining the British Army in 1947, Chu Hin Saw, 100, chose love over wealth and was married to his wife, Lian Hook, for nearly 80 years. They emigrated to Australia in the early 1990s to be with their son, Leng. Chu Hin’s life story is one of resilience and determination.
They youngest, at just 100, skilled dressmaker and baker Emma Smoker has spent her years delighting those around her with her talents. She is a passionate cricket and football fan and a sharp card player. Emma is the latest centenarian to join the fold, having turned 100 on 16 August.
It's no secret that Australians are living longer than ever. The latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) shows life expectancy at birth is 81.2 years for males and 85.3 years for females. Compare that to 1992 when those numbers were 74.5 years and 80.4 years respectively.
While improvements to medicine and standards of living have made a significant impact on Australians' life expectancy, research shows that, when considering longevity, the physical and mental health of older people is intrinsically linked.
Researchers have found substantial evidence that being socially connected can significantly reduce the risk of premature death, with isolation being comparable to other common health risks like obesity, physical inactivity and air pollution.
But while statisticians have predicted that by 2050 Australia may be home to more than 50,000 people aged 100 years and over, reaching an age that receives recognition from the King is no mean feat!
Aged and Community Care Providers Association (ACCPA) chief Tom Symondson took the opportunity to congratulate the residents on their remarkable achievement and acknowledge the dedication of their care team.
“Their birthday milestones are significant and each person has incredible stories, experiences and wisdom which they bring to their communities,” he said.
“They are an inspiration to us all.
“Because Australians are living longer and healthier lives than ever before, this is just the beginning of many more centenarian celebrations to come.”
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