A life-long love of oysters and chocolate may be part of the reason Vera Grace Ewart celebrated her 100th birthday last Friday.
Vera marked the milestone in the company of family, friends and staff at Willowbrae-Melton Aged Care, where she has lived for nine years.
Her step-niece, Janine Busuttil, describes the centenarian as “rather cheeky for her age”.
“She’s very funny. She received a letter from the Queen to commemorate her 100th birthday, as it’s such a huge thing, and she just chuckled and said, ‘Silly old buggers’.”
Vera was born in Pambula, New South Wales, in 1913. Her parents sold oysters for a living and Busuttil says they remain a firm favourite.
“She just loves them. I have no idea how she has lived to 100 because she doesn’t have that balanced a diet.
‘‘She’d also love her occasional shandy and sherry. She never smoked, though.’’
Vera met her husband Jim in Pambula. After his stint in the army, the newlyweds moved to Victoria, settling in Yarraville.
They didn’t have children and spent several years working together for Dickies towels as part of the production team.
Jim died in 1975, and Vera moved into a unit in Kingsville. She later moved in with Busuttil and her family in Riddells Creek before shifting to Willowbrae-Melton in 2004.
In her spare time, Vera enjoys visiting the Great Ocean Road and sightseeing.
“It’s great to be celebrating her 100th, I just hope it runs in the family,” Busuttil says with a laugh.
