It’s not every day you have the chance to blow out 100 candles, but March 2021 saw three Mercy Health aged care home residents join the elite club of centenarians in Australia.
In Geelong, Mercy Place Rice Village resident Joyce Thetford celebrated her 100th birthday on 18 March.
When reflecting on what helped her reach a century, Joyce says: “My secret to a good life is looking after yourself, growing your own vegetables, being active and maybe a nip of green ginger wine sometimes!”
Irene Hardener, a resident at Mercy Place Montrose in Melbourne’s east, had no shortage of friends, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who were keen to celebrate her 100th birthday on 21 March.
Mercy Place Colac resident Les Trigg (pictured above), labelled ‘Trigger’ by his army ‘Cobbers’ also turned 100 on 23 March with a Zoom celebration – somewhat unconventional but expected after the year 2020.
Seniors Victoria joined the fun, sharing a video presentation that helped Les share this big milestone and his life story with his friends, family, residents, and staff.
“I’ve done some interesting stuff over the past century; from serving in the infantry in the middle of the Papua New Guinea jungle, to selling my house and travelling across Australia,” he said.
Mercy also had two residents welcome 102nd birthdays – Evelyn ‘Billie’ Trebly in Albury, Victoria and Ivy Ballentine in Lathlain, Western Australia.
What a knockout!
