Life Style Conversations

LIFE STYLE CONVERSATIONS

‘I still call Australia Home’ – Peter Allen

Lets meet two amazing ladies both born in 1933 and who aspire to live to be 100 and beyond. They both agree that staying independent, having good cognition and being able to do every day tasks with minimal help are important to them.

These ladies lived only kilometres apart, have had vastly different childhoods, albeit many similarities as they went through their walk of life. They are both from the Silent Generation ( born between 1925 and 1945). This generation precedes the baby boomer generation . They are also known as ‘The Builders’ as they helped rebuild the nation after the hardship and struggles people faced during the Depression and World War II.

I had a lifestyle conversation with these ladies. Gwen born September 1933 and Peg born December 1933. Both ladies are now widows and still live at home independently.

Gwen and Peg both celebrated their 90th Birthdays this year. (2023)

Can you give me a snapshot of your life? Gwen – ‘ I was the youngest of six and grew up on a dairy farm. I worked on the farm until I got married and had 3 children. I spent a lot of my life caring first for my mother in law, then my mother and then my husband who passed away 30 years ago. I have always had a healthy diet and kept active playing golf. I keep active now walking and playing with my dog.’

Peg – ‘ I am the youngest child , I had one sister who passed away at age 86. My parents had a tennis court so I began playing tennis from a young child. I have 4 children, my husband passed away 2 years ago after a long battle with dementia. Tennis has always been my passion and I was able to travel the world playing tennis. I played in the World Veterans Tournaments up until my mid 80’s. I stopped playing tennis at 88 after I had a snapped tendon. I love spending time with my family and friends, gardening and doing craft activities’.

What games did you play as young children? Gwen – ‘ Marbles, hop scotch’ Peg- ‘ Ball games’ .

What activities / sport did you play growing up? Gwen- ‘ Helping on our farm’. Peg- ‘ Tennis’

What was the main form of transport when growing up? Gwen – ‘Walking ‘. Peg – ‘Walking’

What age did you leave school? Gwen – ’14’ . Peg – ’15’ .

Where did you work after finishing school? Gwen – ‘ On our farm’. Peg – ‘ Meridene’s Dressmaking Shop’

Do you have children? Gwen – ‘Yes three’ Peg – ‘ Yes four’.

How old were you when you had your first child? – Gwen- ‘ 20 ‘. Peg ’23’

How old were your parents when they passed away? Gwen – ‘Mum 80, Dad 72’. Peg -‘ Mum 100, Dad 96’ .

Have you mostly had a healthy diet? Gwen- ‘ Yes meat, fruit and vegetables’ Peg- ‘ Salad’

Do you eat out much?. Gwen – ‘ No I mostly cook but occasionally have Chinese food’ . Peg – ‘ Mostly home made food but I do like fish if I eat out.’

Do you still exercise regularly? Gwen – ‘ I like to walk and play with my dog ‘. Peg- I get my exercise from gardening as I cant exercise due to a snapped tendon’

Have you ever had a fall? Gwen- ‘ No’. Peg – ‘ Yes playing Tennis in my 80s when I snapped a tendon.’

How do you keep your brain active? Gwen – ‘ I knit and read ‘. Peg – Craft, working on my fairy garden’

How have you managed stress in your life ? Gwen – ‘ Reading or knitting are relaxing for me’ Peg- ‘ Keeping active’

Do you drink alcohol or smoke? Gwen – ‘No never’ Peg – ‘ I have never smoked but have an occasional light beer.

If you live to be a centenarian what would you like your life to be like? Gwen – ‘ To be able to walk, talk, sleep and knit’. Peg – ‘ I only want to live that long if I have quality of life’

What things are important in your life now? Gwen- ‘ To be strong and healthy and spending time with my family.’ Peg – ‘ Going out with my friends, going to Probus, spending time with family.’

What is your favourite song ? Gwen – ‘ Bringing in the Sheaves, my maiden name was Sheaves.’ Peg – ‘I like old songs My way, I still call Australia home.’

Do you need any health devises? Gwen – I have glasses and use hearing aids. Peg – ‘Sometimes I use a walking stick and use glasses and hearing aids.’

What is your secret to looking so good at 90? Gwen – ‘ Growing up on a dairy farm, laughing a lot and regularly using face cream. Peg – ‘ A healthy diet, exercise and using day and night cream.

Do you use any modern technology such as smart phone, You tube, google? Gwen ‘No’ . Peg ‘ I have a mobile phone’.

Overall , have you had a happy life? Gwen- ‘Yes’. Peg- ‘Yes’

If you could live your life again would you change anything? Gwen – ‘NO’. Peg – ‘ NO’ .

Peg and Gwen value spending time with their families and friends. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Gwen and Peg are of great inspiration to me. They are actually both my Aunties. Gwen is the last living sibling on my fathers side and Peg is the last living sibling on mums side. They are both wonderful role models not just for myself but for our family, friends and hopefully anyone who reads this . They are both kind, easy going and happy and value time spent with family and friends.

Both Gwen and Peg can attribute their healthy life so far due to healthy diet, continued physical activity, staying socially connected, keeping their mind stimulated and having a purpose through happy relationships and regular activities that give their lives meaning.

I will regularly update how their life is going in future posts.

Song – ‘Bringing in the Sheaves’ – Burl Ives ( This is a family favourite of Gwen’s.)

Till Next time -‘ Keep on Rocking and Rolling ‘

Kim.