Geelong grandma turns 100 and reveals secrets to a long, healthy life
An admired Geelong grandmother who “raised the bat” for a her 100th birthday has shared her secret to a long and fulfilling life.
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An admired Geelong grandmother has “raised the bat” for her 100th birthday and shared her secrets to a long and fulfilling life.
Eileen Nation, who celebrated the incredible milestone among family and friends in St Leonards on Saturday, said she was determined to see a “few more birthdays yet” after reflecting on her wonderful journey.
The spritely and much-loved Bellarine resident was born on December 3, 1922 – the year the first radio broadcast was recorded by the BBC in London – and can still remember where she was when news of World War II broke in 1939.
“She was on the corner of Ryrie and Moorabool St when the word came out, and everything just went quiet,” her daughter, Lyn Wilson, said.
“I get shivers thinking about it.
“We are lucky to have her.”
Ms Nation has two children, Lyn and Kevin, seven grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren, one of which attends the same Bond Street Kindergarten in Newtown as she did back in the 1920s.
Raised in Geelong,she still enjoys sipping on a whiskey and a “little bit of champagne” on special occasions, claiming the key to her longevity was “to keep moving.”
“The worst thing you can do is say ‘oh god, I don’t feel good today so I’ll just go to bed’,” she said.
“You have to keep moving, keep busy and keep going.”
She spent most of her working life with Benders Busways in Geelong, stopping to make machine-sewn tents for the Army during the war.
Ms Wilson said her mum still lived independently and was capable of doing her own cooking, cleaning and occasional gardening.
“A lot of people are amazed by her, it’s an amazing story,” she said.
“It’s incredible looking back through world history and all the things she has lived through.
“She loves company.”
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Originally published as Geelong grandma turns 100 and reveals secrets to a long, healthy life
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