Emily Chapman Laing
Cranbourne North local Fiona will be celebrating her 100th birthday on 14 April.
Born in 1923, Fiona’s daughter, also named Fiona, said she has lived a “remarkable” life.
Fiona grew up in Hawkesdale, one of three children.
“I had a beautiful childhood”,” she said.
Fiona was born with the help of a bush nurse, not like her siblings who were born in the hospital.
She later went on to have 12 children of her own, though sadly four of them passed away.
Now she approaches her 100th year, a 17 year triumph over the average lifespan of women in Australia.
Fiona said she hasn’t done anything “extra special” to make it here, though it is clear from her spirit that she’s a fiery and strong woman.
“When you live your life you just feel the same as what you do any day, you just go on,” she said.
Fiona has kept her independence, owning her own home though she has been living with her daughter since the pandemic hit.
Fiona definitely doesn’t fit the statistics.
While 75% of Australians aged 65 and over don’t get sufficient exercise, Fiona said she remains active.
“I’ve been active all my life,” she said.
“I don’t give in to anything.”
Fiona will be celebrating her birthday at Cranbourne Senior Citizens Hall.
Those close to her will be celebrating not only her incredible 100 years of life, but also her captivating personality.
“Whatever life throws at her she just grabs it by the horns and goes full speed ahead,” said her daughter
Daughter Fiona said her mum’s greatest achievement has been “being herself, taking each day as it comes”.
“All the things she had to go through to get to 100 are amazing,” she said.
Fiona’s favourite thing about getting older is “being able to walk in one door and out the other without having any responsibility”.
