Women of Whiddon Share Secrets to a Life Well Lived this Women’s Health Week
In honour of Women’s Health Week 4th – 8th September, and this year’s theme, ‘Grow Your Knowledge’ Whiddon are celebrating women who have led incredible lives as a reminder to other women to live a life filled with passion, courage and spirit.
29 August 2023
These incredible women are pushing the boundaries of ageing, reflecting on their fulfilling lives and sharing their wisdom to the future generations of today. The world as we know it has drastically changed in the last 100 years and these women have witnessed some of the world’s greatest revolutions.
Barbara Woods, 100 Years Young, Whiddon, Moree
Barbara Woods has always had a purpose in life. From her family to her job and her beloved husband Ian. When she moved into the care of award-winning provider, Whiddon, she kept true to her purpose by keeping the gardens flourishing and looking beautiful.
“I think it’s very important you have a purpose in life, for me it was my family and my job. If I could give any advice to the younger generations, it would be to keep working hard. It’s important that you make something of your life and still enjoy it.”
Barbara believes purpose and passion will stand you in good stead in life and help you cope with the good days and the bad days.
When reminiscing on her 100 years of life, she expressed her immense gratitude for the incredible memories that she has been able to treasure well into her retirement.
“I’ve always been very active. I worked 7 days a week and rode horses until my mid-80s. When I moved into care at Whiddon I was kept busy with my own garden to look after. This really helped keep my mind and body active.”
“I don’t smoke or drink, I would say that’s played a role in my long life.”
According to Barbara the 1940s and 1950s were her favourite decades as it was a time she got married and started her family all whilst working hard and enjoying a peaceful life on the farm.
When reflecting on her life and everything she’s achieved, naturally there was a few things she hasn’t got around to just yet:
“Travel while you’re young and still able. I would still love to travel around Australia. We’re very lucky to live in a beautiful country and there’s so much to explore right in our own backyard. Go on trips with those you love as much as you can. Go when you can, where you can, while you can.”
Even at 100 years young, Barbara hasn’t let age hold her back. For her 100th birthday, her birthday wish came true, and she rode a horse again thanks to the incredible team at Whiddon, Moree.
“I’ve seen so much change in the last 100 years, life for women has improved drastically. We used to have to work a lot harder to get things done, it was all manual labour back then, there was no machines to do anything for us.”
Eveline Miller, 100, Years Young, Whiddon, Narrabri
At Whiddon Narrabri, Eveline is known for her quick wit and cheeky sense of humour. Even at 100 years old, she has everyone around her in stitches the moment they speak to her.
After an enthralling career in the Women’s Air Force England Liberation Army during WWII, Eveline was in search of a daring adventure. This sense of adventure led Eveline to immigrate from Ireland to Australia when she was 30.
As a woman pushing the boundaries of traditional gender roles from the day she could walk, Eveline passionately believes that women can do anything and has a progressive outlook on the progress of life for women:
“From my perspective, nothing has changed for women in the last 100 years, it comes down to the individual’s perspective, as a woman we can do anything we put our minds to.”
Eveline’s secret to a happy life is to go through every experience and moment in life with an open mind, when asked how long a good life is, Eveline explained:
“You’ll live a good life as long as you make the most of what you have. We’re always wishing for more, but it only does us harm in the long term.”
When asked what the secret to a long life is, Eveline laughed and said: “It’s the journey through life not knowing for sure as to what you’re doing.”
Her advice for those younger than herself would be to travel as much as you can as far as you can, with a mind that’s as open as possible.
Eveline recalls the best day of her life as the day she married her husband, Jack Miller, a young carpenter. In fact, she was travelling around Australia in her 30s when she met and married the love of her life, Jack.
Eveline’s achieved a great deal in her 100 years of life. When asked about things she hasn’t gotten around to yet, her quick wit and infamous sense of humour stepped in:
“I didn’t get around to having lots of money and being able to spend it.”
According to Eveline, keeping active, an open mind, kindness and purpose will keep you living well for years to come.
Eveline is a keen gardener and noted this as one of her favourite ways to stay active during her time spent as a resident at Whiddon.
Gwenda Chrisham, 93 Years Young, Whiddon Easton Park, Glenfield
Gwenda has lived through more than most. From the strides made for greater equality for women, the invention of the world wide web, the widespread adoption of technology and modern medicine progression. Despite this, when asked on her favourite decade to live through, she quoted the 2020s.
“I’m happy and I’m healthy and there’s not much more you can ask for in this life, even at 93 years old.”
The world looks a little different from what it did when Gwenda was in her 20s, yet her advice to younger generations remains true:
“To the younger generations I would say, the life we have is wonderful so make sure you enjoy it and behave!”
Gwenda doesn’t have a secret to her long life, instead she believes the secret to a happy life comes down to having respect for others, being a good person and behaving.
When reflecting on things Gwenda hasn’t quite gotten around to yet, she noted a career in nursing:
“I always wanted to be a nurse, I couldn’t at the time as I was married and that wasn’t something many women did. It was something I always wanted to be but didn’t get around to. It wasn’t realistic for a woman to aspire to anything of the likes.”
Gwenda recounts the best day of her life as the one she married her husband Raymond, on the 19th February 1949. Speaking fondly of her marriage, she looks back on life with her husband with love, great appreciation, and gratitude.
One of the biggest changes Gwenda has seen in the last 93 years has been life for women, noting the recent record-breaking strides the Matildas have made for women’s sport.
“When I was young, we didn’t have what we have now, women’s sport is now blended into men’s sport, and it just wasn’t like that before.”
When asked about the length of a good life, she surprised herself with her answer:
“I used to think 75 would be a good age to live to, but now that I’m 93, I’m glad I’m here, I’m living a good life and I’m happy.”
“I like to keep active, I used to play tennis but now I make sure I walk everyday here at Whiddon Easton Park, just to keep active”.
Juanita Harper, 75 Years Young, Whiddon Easton Park, Glenfield
The 1960s was one of the most divisive decades in history. From the birth of the civil rights movement to greater strides towards equality for women, for Juanita Harper, the 60s were her golden years:
“I used to go to dance parties and dance to rock and roll music and the twist. They’re memories I look back on very fondly. What a time it was!”
A loving, supporting partner can be an incredible source of strength joy and companionship in life. Juanita spoke to the day she married her second husband as the best day of her life.
“My advice to the younger generations of today would be, don’t have kids too young. Enjoy your life first, and don’t go out with a bad man.”
Sometimes life will teach you the best lessons and show you new opportunities after going through challenging times.
Juanita believes the secret to a long life is to just enjoy it, find joy in the little things and get along with the people around you.
The meaning of happiness is different for everyone and for Juanita, her secret for a happy life is to spend time and get along with your kids and siblings, look for happiness in your family, as they are forever.
When reflecting on the biggest change for women in the last 75 years, Juanita passionately states the ever-changing fashion trends.
“I think the fashion sense was way better before, it’s terrible now!”
Juanita has a love for baked vegetables, particularly potatoes, pumpkins and cauliflower with a rice pudding for dessert here at Whiddon Easton Park. Proof that a full belly equals a full heart.
According to Juanita, living a good life and living well is getting out and enjoying life mixed with a little shopping and pampering!
About Whiddon
Whiddon is an award-winning care provider with residential care, community care and retirement villages across metropolitan, regional, rural, and remote New South Wales and Southeast Queensland.
- Whiddon has been providing exceptional care to older Australians and people with disabilities for more than 75 years, and has grown to be an industry-leading, not-for-profit aged care organisation caring for close to 3,000 customers with over 2,500 employees.
- Whiddon is passionate about enriching lives and keeping older people connected to what matters most to them in life. The organisation aims to really understand each person through building deep relationships with them, their family, and their community.
- Whiddon proudly partners with academics and universities that are developing the latest thinking, innovation, programs, and training around quality of life and ageing.
