Gladys Poole, born Gladys Hilda Heather, came into the world on December 9, 1918 and has recently achieved the rare distinction of getting to 100 years old, an honour which awards a personal letter from the Queen, among other things.
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For her birthday, four generations of her family, and some fifty friends and staff gathered at the function area in the Nambucca “Pacifica” nursing home to congratulate Gladys on getting to the big 100.
Her youngest son John Poole spoke to the Guardian about his mothers secret to getting to a 100 and a few other family anecdotes.
“Mum has lived a great life, her father George was commissioned to build a float for the opening of the Sydney Harbor Bridge in 1932, it was called the “Spirit of Australia”, and she rode on it in the parade, he said.
She met her future husband Frank Poole while working at the “Grace Brothers” gym on Broadway in the late 1930s.
They had numerous holidays in the 1950s to the mid-north coast and fell in love with Scotts Head; they built a holiday shack there at the entrance in 1962. In the 1960s and 70s, locals actually referred to the beach opposite their shack as Pooles beach.”
While some centenarians have a secret, a glass of wine a day, a particular food, John insists his mum has no secret at all.
“I don’t think there is a secret; she has been an active sportswoman all her life, surfing, fishing, she did it all.
She ate well, meat and four vegs, and she has never been critical of anyone, she is a kind women.
She still has an excellent appetite for a 100-year-old, she has big breakfasts.”
While Gladys Poole had a health scare in her seventies, she overcame it and is still going strong today.
“She bounced back with a vengeance,” Mr Poole said.
She has a good heart, low blood pressure, and her mind can recall moments from the 30s with sharp clarity.”
After caring for her in his home until she reached the ripe old age of 97, he made the tough call to take her to current home located at the “Pacifica” nursing home.
So what does a 100-year-old like to do you ask, well John was happy to reveal that particular secret.
“Mum loves seeing the water, and she likes going out to lunch, her favourites are prawn cutlets and a glass of white wine, loves a glass of wine.”
Gladys is currently still living in “Pacifica” Nambucca Heads where she is visited by John 2-3 times a week.