Lorna Henstridge turns 110 and is likely Australia’s oldest woman – so what’s her secret?

Today, Lorna Henstridge turns 110 – and while this SA woman doesn’t think too much about it, she has a very easy secret to a long, happy life.

Ms Henstridge holding a photo from her childhood. Picture: Tom Huntley

She’s is 110 and is very likely Australia’s oldest woman – but Lorna Henstridge doesn’t really feel like that.

Ms Henstridge lives in a Bordertown aged-care facility and celebrates her 110th birthday today (June 6).

The great-grandmother of eight said she didn’t think she’d ever be 110 years old and hadn’t done anything special to reach her impressive age.

“I’ve just plodded on day by day,” Ms Henstridge said.

She said holding the title of Australia’s oldest woman didn’t “give her any diamonds” – but might offer up “another picture of the King”, she supposed.

Ms Henstridge still owns a home in Keith, where she spent much of her life, and lived independently up until the age of 105 – and drove a car until she was 98.

Lorna Henstridge is turning 110 in early June. Picture: Tom Huntley

When asked for her secret to a long life, Ms Henstridge said the key is to always be doing something you enjoy.

“Keep interested in what you’re doing, be active, and keep doing something new all the time for both yourself and other people,” she said.

“I have always liked people, like mixing with people, in saying that not all people like to be approached and bothered by others, but that’s what life is about, putting up with people.

“We had to walk more back in the day. When we were little, we didn’t have cars.

“I’m always happy to help people who need help, but hope I’m not overstepping.

“Things have changed for the young … they’re not as restricted anymore.

“Try and be yourself, be natural and be friendly with other people, make them feel at home.

Lorna Henstridge on a horse. She is turning 110 in early June.

“Always do what you can to help others.”

Most importantly, she said she’s “dying” to know when her next family reunion is – because at the last one, she was awarded a vase for being “the oldest person there”.

“The girl presenting it said, ‘well to be sure, you won’t be here next time’ and I told them not to be too sure,” she laughed.

Lorna Henstridge with daughter Jennie in Bordertown. Picture: Tom Huntley

Born in Adelaide in 1914, Ms Henstridge was raised on farm near Bute on the Yorke Peninsula alongside her two siblings before moving to Adelaide to live with her grandmother.

“When I was five and we lived part way between Kadina and Bute, my father used to take me on horseback to a railway crossing and I’d get on the train and go to school and back,” Ms Henstridge recalled.

Wonderful memories for Lorna Henstridge who is turning 110 in early June.

Her family joined her in Adelaide five years later when Ms Henstridge was around 10.

She attended a public school in Unley, spent four years at St Peters and later went to business college where she did a short course in bookkeeping.

She met her husband in Keith and after they married, the family – which soon consisted of the couple and their three children – spent 10 years living in Victor Harbor before returning to Keith where Ms Henstridge was an active member of the community for more than 60 years.

“I miss Keith a lot, I was very involved with the people there,” she said.

Lorna Henstridge striking a pose all those years ago.

Baby photos of Lorna Henstridge.

Throughout her life, Ms Henstridge has always made an effort to give back to her communities, when she lived in Adelaide she fundraised for the junior Red Cross and was involved in operating an open house for troops. When she was in Keith, she was the president of the local golf club where her husband was a club champion.

Her daughter Jennie said still having her mother around at the age of 110 is “a little bit amazing”.

“You never think you’ll have your parents around for this long,” she said.