www.85prime.net
Link to the stories of the super agers
Graham, 90
Graham, 90
Aunty Val (OAM), 86
Aunty Val (OAM), 86
Aunty Val has a uniquely Aboriginal perspective on ageing and her life as an 86 year old. It’s like she has an eagle eye view of where she sits within the timeline of her life. When asked about her life now she starts with the stories of her Great Grandmother, who was poisoned with flour during an Aboriginal massacre in the 1800’s. Her Grandmother and Grandfather were Gandangara people from Coolangatta and Meroo near Nowra. They brought their family, including Aunty Val’s Mum, to the Aboriginal
Irene, 94
Irene, 94
Barbara, 87
Barbara, 87
Grahame, 85
Grahame, 85
Eileen, 85
Eileen, 85
Freda, 87
Freda, 87
Freda, who is 87, lives in a small village called Hill Top in NSW. If you are a ‘Hill Topian’ there is a good chance you already know Freda. Her family has lived here for a long time. Her Grandfather, who immigrated from Lebanon, owned the local grocery shop back in the day. She describes herself as ‘An honorary Aboriginal naturalised Australian Lebanese. I was born in Lebanon. I left Lebanon when I was 4 years of age in 1938.’ She still speaks Arabic and can cook up a feast. Her hands ha
Jeanette, 85
Jeanette, 85
Isobel, 100
Isobel, 100
Just when I’d settled myself in all cosy for a chat to Isobel who is 100 years old, she had me up on my feet following along with exercises that she does every day. She was correcting my form – ‘chin in, don’t stick your chin out’ and when I complained the exercises hurt my shoulders, she tells me ‘well, do more exercises.’ She never married. ‘I was lucky. I think so. Early on, I wanted to, well I met about three men that I could have, but things happen. But you know if I had married any of th
Bea, 88
Bea, 88
There’s a sparkle in Bea’s eye that is quietly taking my measure as she greets me at her door. She has been defying odds since early childhood, overcoming childhood illness including tuberculosis. She is still defiant against the stereotypes of ageing and continues to work, although she doesn’t feel like it is work. She has been teaching music for 70 years. She calls herself a ‘delinquent geriatric’ and when I am shocked by this and nervously laugh at her turn of phrase she says ‘I don’t know wh
Bert, 91
Bert, 91
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