Ballina grandmother Mavis Austin celebrates turning 108 at St Andrews Aged Care

A music-loving and “very lucky” North Coast grandmother has notched up an incredible milestone, but the secret to her longevity remains a mystery to her.

Ballina centenarian Mavis Austin, 108, with her grandson Blake.

A North Coast grandmother says she is “very lucky” to have reached an incredible milestone after celebrating her 108th birthday on Wednesday.

Mavis Austin was surrounded by family at St Andrews Aged Care in Ballina singing one of her favourite songs, When You Come to the End of the Day by Perry Como.

Granddaughter Jane Ruane said her nan was the “gift that keeps on giving”.

“She recited this song and was saying that every day you can only do your best, and if you only have one dollar and one friend, you can give the dollar to someone who needs it more,” Ms Ruane said.

Ms Austin was unsure of the secret to her longevity.

Ballina centenarian Mavis Austin has celebrated her 108th birthday.

“I don’t know why I’ve lived so long,” she said.

“I’ve had good grandparents and parents and children. What more could you want? I’ve been very lucky.”

Ballina centenarian Mavis Austin has celebrated her 108th birthday.

Born on January 1, 1917, Ms Austin is the oldest of four sisters.

“She constantly shares reflections and blessings and gratitude,” Ms Ruane said.

“She is incredibly compassionate and often talks about how her father grew their veggies and how they made the most of what they had.”

Hailing from Maitland, Ms Austin and her husband settled in Dubbo, where they had three girls and two boys.

Ballina centenarian Mavis Austin with her granddaughter Jasmin. Picture: Denise Alison

The centenarian moved to Ballina at the age of 90, when her daughter Jenny, who sadly died in 2011, was diagnosed with cancer.

She helped out with her grandchildren, Blake and twins Jane and Jasmin, who attended Kadina High.

An esteemed dressmaker who topped her course for the state and ran a bakery, Ms Ruane said her nan would have loved to be a teacher but, being a single mum raising her kids by herself, wasn’t able to fulfill the dream.

“Nan loves music and played piano up until she was 104,” Ms Ruane said.

An outpouring of praise and well wishes flowed for the “most inspiring” centenarian.

“What a wonderful lady, such an incredible life,” one man wrote.

“How wonderful to have lived, loved and laughed for 108 years,” a woman said.

“Amazing. Happy birthday Mavis. The many stories she could tell,” another woman said.

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