Bombing of Darwin hero Brian Winspear celebrates his 100th birthday

ONE of Darwin’s greatest wartime heroes, Brian Winspear, has turned 100 years old today, some 80 years after he helped defend the Top End in the Bombing of Darwin.

ONE of Darwin’s greatest wartime heroes, Brian Winspear, has turned 100 years old today, some 80 years after he helped defend the Top End in the Bombing of Darwin.

Now living in the Hobart suburb of Bellerive, Mr Winspear had a few tips for how to live as long and as happily as he had.

“When I was about 6 or 7, I used to get sixpence a week pocket money, that went straight to the Clover Leaf cafe in Launceston to get a milkshake and I’ve been drinking milkshakes ever since,” he said.

“If you’ve got stairs in the house you live 17 per cent and a half longer, so I take the stairs whenever I can.”

Bombing of Darwin veteran Flight Lieutenant Brian Winspear at the Esplanade in Darwin on Monday, February 18, 2019. He turned 100 years old on Sunday.

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Mr Winspear said knowing when to stop the grog was also important, as was spending five months of the year in warmer climates.

“I was always a heavy drinker until I got to about 80 and started falling over with alcohol, so I had to give it up,” he said.

“For the last 29 years, (my wife) Shelly and I have both gone to Bowen for five months in the winter, and I think that’s got a lot (of benefits) with health.”

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Mr Winspear said he was looking forward to celebrating his birthday in Darwin as soon as the authorities allowed him later this year or early next year.