Australia’s third oldest man Ted Wales turns 107

TED Wales, the third oldest man in Australia, celebrated his 107th birthday on the weekend. And his secret to longevity? ‘Never worry about worry’.

Former Cabramatta resident Ted Wale has turned 107. Pic: AAP Image / Angelo Velardo

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FORMER long-time Cabramatta resident Ted Wale celebrated his 107th birthday on Saturday with family and friends dropping in to visit over several days at his new address at the Frank Whiddon aged care home at Glenfield.

Mr Wale was born in Coventry, England, on August 12, 1910. He is the third oldest man in Australia, with the six oldest all being born in the same year.

Mr Wale had lived alone in Cabramatta since early last year after his adopted son died, but decided in March he needed some assistance and moved into the nursing home.

Daughter Olive Young said her father’s health was remarkably good considering his age.

Ted Wale, at age 95, had some of his art work exhibited by Fairfield Art Society. Picture: Nick Andrean.

“He is hard of hearing and he uses a wheelchair because his legs are giving out,” Mrs Young said.

“Other than that, he’s pretty good.”

She attributed Mr Wale’s longevity to good genes — his sister was a month off 103 when she died last year — though both his parents died young.

“Dad was three when his father died and his mother died when he was 16,” Mrs Young said. “He had a tough life.

Ted Wale, at age 103, in his studio in Cabramatta.

“Six years after his father died he was sponsored to come to Australia and settled in Lithgow.”

She also attributed her father’s long life to being carefree.

“He used to say ‘never worry about worry’,” she said. “That’s how he lived his life; he never worried about much at all.”

Mrs Young said was one of his bugbears was being called a Pom.

“He’s never been back to England; there was too many bad memories,” she said. “And never call him a Pom. He’s an Aussie.”

Ted Wale, at 104 gardening outside of his Cabramatta West home.

Mr Wale’s first job as a 15-year-old was as an apprentice at the arms factory in Lithgow. “We made rifles, machine guns, sewing machines, handcuffs for police,” he said in an interview several years ago.

Mr Wale moved to Cabramatta in 1956 and went on to become a prominent artist and electrical technician. He is a foundation member of Fairfield City Art Society and life member. In 2016 he was named Fairfield Citizen of the Year.

Mrs Young is 80 and Mr Wale’s son Jim is 82. He has numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

Ted Wale, at age 105, when he still lived at home and mowed his own lawn.

TED’S TIMELINE:

1910: Born in Coventry

1919: Emigrates to Australia after WWI

1924: Starts work as an apprentice in Lithgow

1946: Works as an electrical technician and artist

1975: Retires