By DANIELLE GALVIN
IF THE secret of 100 years of happiness is walking every day and porridge for breakfast, Kath Glasscock has it all down pat.
The Killara Hostel resident celebrates her 100th birthday today (Wednesday) with her children George, John and Judith and their spouses Margaret, Margaret and Malcolm.
Kath will have a special lunch at the Kooowerup aged care facility, followed by an open afternoon tea on Saturday for extended family and friends in the area.
“Having them for lunch here is what I wanted,” she told the Gazette from her room.
“On Saturday, we are having an open house at George and Margaret’s, I’ll probably see people I haven’t seen in a while.”
With 15 great-grandchildren and 11 grandchildren, there will be no shortage of guests at the afternoon tea and of course there’s the community that Kath has lived in for 60 years too.
Kath was born in Prahran and has lived in “many different places” thanks to her father’s job as a teacher and his willingness to go where others wouldn’t.
“I came back to Melbourne I think in 1926 at age 13,” she said.
“I was married in 1936 – I was 24 and at 25 George was born.
“I remember when I was in hospital when Johnny was born, in the paper every day the allied troops were being pushed further and further back to Dunkirk and when Judith was born, they were all landing there and going forward. I always remember that.”
Holidaying at a young age in the shire meant Kath grew up with a fondness for the area. At 13, she would visit her aunt, who was married to the local police officer in Lang Lang.
“But it’s very different here from when I first came – I was in Monomeith for about 60 years I guess,” she said.
“Then I lived in a unit in Kooweerup for 10 or 12 years, and I have been here for six years, and this is my home, I’m happy here.”
As the official scorer for at least 25 years, Kath was given a life membership to the Kooweerup Cricket Club and the West Gippsland Cricket Association. But the secret to a centenary of a happy and healthy life?
“My sister said to me you know why we live so long, she said it’s all the walking we did and all the porridge we ate and I think that’s a lot to do with it,” she said.
“We always had a vegetable garden, the first thing you do is make a garden. I was always grateful to my parents for that.”
The open afternoon tea is on Saturday 13 April 2-5pm at 150 Longwarry Road.
