The Hills’ oldest woman Ethel Giles celebrates her 107 birthday with a smile
THE HILLS’ oldest woman Ethel Giles has lived through both world wars, the invention of cars and the discovery of penicillin.
Hills Shire
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ETHEL Giles has lived through both world wars, the invention of cars, the discovery of penicillin and two Halley’s comets.
Born in Glebe on September 24, 1909, the Winston Hills resident recently blew out the candles on her 107th pink birthday cake.
Mrs Giles claims the mantle of being the Hills’ oldest resident but the humble and polite centenarian was happiest with her family at the celebrations.
Sons Graeme and Ron, as well as daughter-in-law Tricia, visited Mrs Giles at the Woodberry Retirement Village on September 28 for her second birthday party.
“We had a family party on Saturday, her actual birthday, and all the family came to see her,” Graeme said.
“She got to meet her two new great-grandchildren that day, it was great.”
With three children, seven grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren, it was a lively event for Mrs Giles.
“She’s had some health issues over the last year and she always bounces back,” Tricia said. “She’s little but she’s tough.”
Mrs Giles had a serious fall, suffering a fractured collarbone and suspected broken ribs.
She moved from her Baulkham Hills home, where she lived for 25 years, into the Lanham Rd facility.
But Graeme, who used to live with and care for her, is not far away.
“I visit her about three times a week,” he said. “We take her to bingo in the retirement village hall and we play cards.”
Mrs Giles cheekily tells those who ask about how she reached the milestone age: “It’s a secret!”
But when pressed, Mrs Giles revealed her secret was “no sugar, no drinking, no smoking and good manners”.
And what presents do you get for someone turning 107?
“We got her a calender clock. She always wants to know what day and time it is. She also got chocolate and perfume,” Ron said.
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