Two Queensland Arcare aged care residents have recently celebrated a combined 209 wonderful years of life.
Norma Haydock celebrated her 105 th birthday at Arcare Pimpama surrounded by friends and family, with her daughter, Ailsa, surprising Norma with a celebratory marbled chocolate and vanilla cake.
When asked about the secret to her longevity, Margaret was quick to say, “Hard work and
movement – I played lawn bowls and tennis every week.”
Her daughter also shared that her mum was still picking up leaves in the garden and doing yard work at 100 years of age.
A grandmother to seven grandchildren and a great-grandmother to seven great-grandchildren, Norma says she has lived a very fulfilling life.
“This is a wonderfully unexpected celebration, so thank you to the team at Arcare Pimpama,” Norma said of her surprise birthday celebrations.
Meanwhile, at Arcare Helensvale, Robert ‘Bob’ Schrader has celebrated his 104th birthday.
His son, Bryan and daughter-in-law, Marcia, were in attendance to mark the momentous occasion with chocolate cake, balloons and sparkling wine.
“I feel like a VIP; I’m very happy here. I lived a simple life with no drinking, drugs or smoking and that’s how I got to where I am today,” Bob shared.
Arcare Personal Support Worker, Tufa, who has supported Bob for seven years dedicated a Samoan dance and song to him as part of the birthday celebrations.
“I chose this song ‘Lalelei Tofaina Oe’ because it’s about showing love and care to
someone, and I wanted Bob to know that I care for him,” Tufa said.
Growing up in Adelaide, Bob had two trades in his life – one as a hospital chef and the other as a bicycle assembler.
His family even has a street named after them in Adelaide.
Now, Bob has four grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and three great great-
grandchildren, and he still attends various exercises and activities at Arcare Helensvale.
