Active life key to joining 100 Club

Uniting AgeWell Girrawheen Community resident Sheila Sheppard is joining one of Australia’s fastest growing clubs, turning 100 on Wednesday, January 25. 

Like many centenarians, Sheila has lived an extraordinary life, raising a family, travelling the world and working as a Melbourne tram conductor for a remarkable 22 years.  

Sheila’s daughter, Barbara Tymms, said her mother had lived an incredible, independent and social life, only receiving respite and home care in the past year, before moving into the Girrawheen Community eight months ago. 

“Mum has always been on the move,” she said. 

“She grew up in Riddells Creek, where she’d walk hours on dirt roads to attend dances as a young woman.

“She’s always led a very active and healthy life, never smoked or drank and always on the move, travelling around Australia in her caravan several times and cruising through Japan and Singapore.

“She loved her job on the trams, walking through the crowds, selling tickets and chatting to people.”

Despite living in residential care and requiring a walker for support, Sheila remains active in the Girrawheen Community. 

Girrawheen Community Administration Officer, Annie van de Beek, said Sheila actively took part in lifestyle activities, went on bus outings every Wednesday and was popular amongst staff and residents. 

“She used to get her hair done regularly, something she continues to do so in the comfort of the Girrawheen Community’s beauty salon,” she said. 

On Wednesday, January 25, the Girrawheen Community will hold a special afternoon tea with Sheila’s family and friends to celebrate her remarkable milestone. Popular entertainer Greg Salter, will also perform. 

The latest demographics from the Australian Bureau of Statistics reveal more than 4000 centenarian (people aged 100 years or older) and super-centenarians (people aged 110 years or older) are currently living in Australia. 

Modern medicine and a good aged care system are contributing factors to the number of centenarians we have today. 

Media are invited to attend the event.
Wednesday, January 25, 1.30pm
Uniting AgeWell Girrawheen Community 
453 New Street, Brighton