Beth Hanson was born in the middle of the 1918 Flu Epidemic, contracting the disease at birth the doctors thought her chance of survival would be low.
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‘But here I am,” she laughed.
Born on June 18 1918 in Melbourne and after a century of life, Beth will celebrate her 100th birthday today.
Born as the middle child to Pendry and Ellen Perrott, Beth had an older sister Mame and a younger sister Phyl.
Beth married her husband Richard Alexander Hanson on June 26 1940 during the first years of the Second World War.
Mr Hanson fought during the war in New Guinea and the couple had one son, Ken born in 1944.
Beth has two grandchildren Glen and Kate-Maree, and four great-grandchildren Sophie, Jeremy, Nico and Elky.
Some of Beth’s hobbies throughout her life include bowls, ballroom dancing and listening to jazz music.
“During The Depression the only entertainment we were able to enjoy was to be able to sit around the piano and sing,” she said.
“I just really love music.
“I also like everything to do with ballroom dancing.”
Beth was also once the club champion of the Burwood District Bowls Club.
Beth has been living at Bendigo Health’s Stella Anderson Retirement Home for the last few weeks, where she has enjoyed every moment.
“They kill me with kindness here, all the staff are lovely,” she said.
“I attend lots of great activities and classes for exercise.
“Socialising with the other people, playing Bingo and the other forms of entertainment are what I enjoy.”
Beth attributes her good health and longevity to her vegetarian diet.
“I don’t like meat, never liked the taste of it,” she said.
Upon reaching her 100th birthday, Beth has received several special milestone letters from the Queen, Australia’s Prime Minister and a range of other people.
Looking back on her life spanning an entire century, Beth is most grateful to have been born in such a great country, having the freedom to be able to say what she thinks and do whatever she wishes.
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