2004

Monday 13th December 2004
“Life Couldn't be Better!”
This Friday, 17th December, Maitland resident Mrs Blanche Coward, will celebrate her 103rd Birthday.

“It's not a big deal for me, just for everybody else. For me, it's just another birthday and I've been trying to avoid them for years,” Mrs Coward states matter-of-factly.

While Mrs Coward downplays her longevity, her fellow residents and staff at Maitland's Mount Carmel Village – operated by Catholic Care of the Aged – are looking forward to celebrating with her at a morning tea on Friday at 10:00 am.

According to Mount Carmel 's Acting Manager, Ms Amanda Lydon, “It's a great milestone in Blanche's life and we want everyone to share in that with her”. Ms Lydon says that she is inspired by Mrs Coward's positive, energetic life.

“People often have a poor perception of old age, but Blanche is such a fine example of the kind of life that older people can enjoy. She still exercises and is active in her community. I don't think I've ever heard her be critical of anybody. I think it is wonderful that Blanche is still an independent, thinking woman at almost 103”.

A war widow, Mrs Coward still regularly attends Legacy functions. She also serves at Mount Carmel 's kiosk three times a week. “It's not a great big effort, and there's two of us to do it. It's an interest. Everybody comes in for a talk,” Mrs Coward explains.

Mrs Coward is the last surviving member of her family of four and moved to Mount Carmel a few years ago to be close to her nephew and his family. “I'm glad I came. It's definitely a retreat from the city, even though I sometimes miss the bustle and the trams, and running around. It's a slower pace”.

She says the most significant event in her life was her emigration to Australia , just after her 12th birthday.

“We arrived on 28th February 1914. I barely even knew the name of the place. All I'd heard about was the heat, ‘dark-skinned' people and picking up gold in the streets. It was certainly different from what I expected, but children soon adapt,” remembers Mrs Coward.

Her first impressions of Australia were the bushland, sunshine and open spaces. Mrs Coward says her life “couldn't be better. I love that I'm in a nice place at my age. I've got a lovely room. I have a lot to be thankful for because I can walk around and go everywhere”.

Catholic Care of the Aged is one of the largest providers of aged care services in the Hunter and Manning Regions. It currently supports 166 people in nursing home accommodation, 332 people in eight hostels, 225 people in their own homes via community aged care packages, and the independent living of ‘over 55 year olds' in 154 self care units.

Media Note: All media are warmly welcome to attend the 103 rd birthday morning tea of Mrs Blanche Coward at Mount Carmel Village , 9 Dwyer Street , Maitland, 10:00 am this Friday 17th December.

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