Mary's huge milestone

According to her family, it's that grit and determination that has led to the family's matriarch turning 105.

Born on May 21, 1919, Mary Ann Russell celebrated with a lunch at Stroud Country Club surrounded by family and friends.

Mary's daughter, Colleen Savage attribute's her mother's longevity to the exceptional care she is receiving at Stroud Community Lodge and her competitive nature.

"Had mum not had the wonderful care that Stroud Community Lodge has given her she wouldn't have survived at home," she said.

"She is very mentally alert but her hearing and eyesight have declined.

"When she moved in at the beginning of COVID she was very disappointed because there was a woman who was five days older than her but now she's the oldest person in the lodge."

Mrs Savage remembers a lot about growing up with Mary as her mother, however the one thing that she remembers most is her love of competitive games, from card games to sports like cricket.

"Some of the things I remember are her competitive game playing, her love of fishing and any craft work. She played Scrabble, Rummikub, she was an inveterate euchre player, indoor bowls, you name it mum played it. Mum was very competitive and never let us win," she said.

"Her great grandfather lived until he was 104. Mum being competitive, that's what we've all been aiming at for her and she's well and truly beat the blokes.

"Mum didn't share much about her childhood except that she grew up around Neath, Abermain and Paxton and then Warners Bay later in her married life."

Seeing her mother reach 105 years old has been a unique experience for Mrs Savage.

Having just turned 80 herself, Mrs Savage said that she has learnt some valuable lessons watching her mother grow old. "It's absolutely wonderful," she said.

"It gives me great pleasure to think that maybe I've got another 20 years. If there's anything you want to do, do it now and anyone you meet you have to treat with kindness."