Adelaide woman Catherina van der Linden is Australia’s oldest person – and she shares secrets to a happy life

An SA great-grandmother thought to be Australia’s oldest living person is set to turn 111 this week – and puts her long, happy life down to two things.

A South Australian great-grandmother who lays claims to the title of Australia’s oldest living person is set to turn 111 this week.

Catherina van der Linden – who lives in Southern Cross Care’s West Beach Residential Care – will celebrate her 111th birthday on Saturday, August 26.

Mrs van der Linden was born in 1912 in the Netherlands before migrating to Australia in 1955 and credits her longevity to her active lifestyle.

Remarkably, she still participates in gym sessions and regular walks, astonishing staff at her residential care home and inspiring other residents.

Catherina van der Linden with three of her children, Mariella, Margherita and Garrath.

“I push myself sometimes when I’m getting a bit tired and I think it’s about time to do something to yourself to see that you still have that energy that you had before,” Mrs van der Linden said.

“I still go on the bike, sometimes for 10 minutes and that is a long time to spend on the bike.”

West Beach Residential Care manager Catherine Willoughby said Mrs van der Linden was a role model of healthy ageing.

“Catherina is an inspiration to all of us, she’s still doing regular walks around the facility … we’ve actually got a couple of other new residents that have started doing the same routine,” Ms Willoughby said.

“I think it’s amazing that she’s 111 and the fact that she’s still so mobile and still very much alert and oriented to what’s happening around her.

Catherina’s oldest daughter Mariella Hocking said while living past 100 wasn’t unheard of in the family, her Mum was a standout among most of her immediate family.

Catherina van der Linden aged 26, pictured in the Netherlands in 1938.

“Mum had one aunt who also lived to 110 but all her brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, all lived only to their 60s and early 70s, so there’s a freaky gene there somewhere in the family I think.”

She has four children, 10 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

After moving to Australia in the 50s with her husband and young family, Mrs van der Linden went on to work in a range of jobs, including grape picker, nursing assistant, typist and a clerical assistant

Since retirement, Mrs van der Linden enjoys time with family and friends.

“With my family I like to sit together and have a meal, a very simple meal together, that’s always very nice in a family atmosphere,” said.

As for her advice for a long life, Mrs van der Linden said it was important to focus on life’s positives.

“Be happy with yourself and be content with what life gives you, sometimes it’s not very good and sometimes it’s better but you have to take the bad with the good as well and it’s possible to make living a joy,” she said.

And, “keep moving, don’t sit still”.