One large candle on a cake signified the first day of a new century for Flora Primer. Mrs Primer, of Queanbeyan, celebrated her 101st birthday, surrounded by four generations of relatives The Canberra Times reported 39 years ago today.
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"You can tell them that I want to live until I see Bob Hawke prime minister of Australia", she said. When asked how she set about living to 101, Mrs Primer responded with "you've got to keep going, don't stop".
Mrs Primer still cooked good meals for herself and took an active part in things going on around her, including the Senior Citizens whose party she enjoyed.
She recalled living at The Cotter in a "home-made house and three of her seven children going to school in a tent".
"The kids didn't have the rubbish then that they have now to play with," she said.
Of her seven sons, six remained, with 18 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren.
She had been a life-long Labor supporter. A telegram from Bob Hawke was the highlight of her birthday.
This would be "souvenired" in her thick album of reminders of a happy life. How did she manage life? She lived like a queen. Didn't drink or smoke and didn't waste.
See more at https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/13933588
