Geelong local Terry McMahon celebrates 100th birthday at Fitness Lab gym

Having just turned 100, Terry McMahon, who attends a North Geelong gym three times a week, attributes his long life to an active lifestyle.

Terry McMahon celebrated his 100th birthday on Friday. He is pictured here with Fitness Lab trainers Tom Collins and Jake Sheridan. Picture: Alan Barber.

Geelong’s newest centenarian goes to the gym three times a week and attributes his active lifestyle to reaching the coveted triple figures.

Ouyen-born Terry McMahon said people attending Fitness Lab gym in North Geelong were always shocked to discover his age.

“They always say ‘you’re not 99’ but I was born on the 14th of February 1925, so what does that make me?” he said.

“They are all marvellous people … it’s amazing how many people knew I was turning 100.”

Fitness Lab owner Nick Jarman said Mr McMahon was an integral part of the gym’s community.

“His positivity, wisdom and infectious enthusiasm remind us that health and connection are lifelong pursuits,” he said.

“He always greets everyone with a smile and is always up for a chat … brightening the space and inspiring everyone around him.”

Terry McMahon with Fitness Lab trainers Jake Sheridan, Will Paatsch, Sydney Arnold and Tom Collins for his 100th birthday. Picture: Alan Barber.

After serving with the Royal Australian Air Force in the jungles of Papua New Guinea during World War II, which was so secretive that he couldn’t tell anyone what he did, Mr McMahon pursued a myriad of sports before finding his passion.

“I was just very ordinary at cricket, football, swimming, and surfing, but I got to an age where I said ‘I’m going to make a success of the only thing left – lawn bowls’,” he said.

Mr McMahon frequently wrote about lawn bowls in a weekly column for the Geelong Advertiser during the 1990s.

During that time, he developed a close working relationship with long-serving sports editor Geoff Davie, who sadly passed just two days before Mr McMahon turned 100.

“He was a lovely bloke — we didn’t have one argument in the whole eight years I was there,” Mr McMahon said.

Mr McMahon also served as principal of Matthew Flinders Girls Secondary College in Geelong.

Originally published as Geelong local Terry McMahon celebrates 100th birthday at Fitness Lab gym