AFTER winning a sports day race in her final year of schooling as a young teenager, Leonora Perris decided to repeat her final year just so she could run the race again.
Indeed, Ms Perris won the race a second time over.
This was one of the memories Ms Perris shared as she celebrated her 100th birthday with most of her three children, 10 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren on Saturday.
The day marked a century from when she was born in Ultima, on June 20, 1915, beginning an active life
A photo of her as a young girl helps her recall the story of when she ran away from a family photo – which, at that time, wasn’t the easiest thing to organise – only to be found sitting and smiling, rather cheekily, on her household staircase.
Another, showing her sitting with female friends, reminds her of when the Ultima postmaster came to them after they had just finished school – around the age of 14 – to ask if anyone wanted a job.
In a time when girls weren’t expected to work, only she put her hand up.
These were early examples of a thirst for activity that has stayed with Ms Perris until this day.
She was one of the founders of Ultima’s first netball club, a keen runner and golfer, and – upon joining the Swan Hill community at the age of 71 – a valued member of the local croquet club.
Today, she continues as best she can her active lifestyle, going for walks frequently.
Ms Perris’ children, daughters Alison Lewis and Julie James and son Rodney Perris, say she has been a resiliant woman all her life, forever accounting for the challenges that were presented to her.
However, Ms Perris was much more stoic about her assessment of her life so far, and adding a third digit to her age.
“I don’t feel any different at the moment,” she smiled.
“I don’t know, perhaps the Lord was good to me.”
As for her continued activity: “I’m just going at my own pace, and it’ll be alright.”
