By GEORGIA WESTGARTH
MYRTLE Petschack is turning 100-years-old but said “it’s just another day”.
“It’s nice to have made the hundred, I suppose not everybody gets a letter from the Queen,” Myrtle said.
A resident at Langford Grange Nursing Home in Cranbourne, Myrtle said she hadn’t asked for any presents.
“As long as you’re happy and have nice friends that’s your best present,” she said.
Born on 19 June, 1915, Myrtle said: “I’ve seen a lot but you don’t stop to think about it.”
Having loved the game of lawn bowls since she can remember, Myrtle followed in her parents’ footsteps and still plays a version of the game today.
“I love my bowls, I played at Moorabbin Bowls Club and was champion of our club green twice,” she said.
“You’ve got to join in with things when you can or else it’s the beginning of the end.”
Married at the age of 20 to her best friend Oscar Petschack, Myrtle lived in their home in Moorabbin until she was 97-years-old.
“We had a very happy marriage, I lived in the garden, lawn mowing and the rest – it didn’t kill me,” she said.
Keeping active and growing your own vegies are some of Myrtle’s top tips for a long happy life – as well as staying off the cake.
“Here we get a biscuit or a piece of cake with every cup of tea, I lay off it – and drinking and smoking was never my cup of tea,” she said.
Legally blind for more than a year Myrtle doesn’t let that stop her.
“I can’t do my hair or my make-up anymore – I have a giggle about it,” she said.
On 19 June, Myrtle will celebrate her century with friends and staff at Langford Grange Nursing Home.
“I have requested pavlova for dessert, I thought it would be the safest option,” she said.
With roast pork for lunch and a special concert planned, unit manager at Langford Grange Natalie Peters said everyone was very excited for Myrtle’s birthday.
“I know we have one gentleman who will play her ‘Happy Birthday’ on the keyboard, he did it last year for her 99th and will do it again this year,” Ms Peters said.
At 99 years old a humble Myrtle said making the century isn’t as rare as it used to be but she is looking forward to her roast pork- because everyone else is just getting what’s on the menu.
