Good friends, a good diet and "a bit of good luck" have contributed to the remarkable health and vitality of Wanaka resident Mavis Walker, who celebrates her 100th birthday today.
Mrs Walker (nee Bain) has lived in her own home in Wanaka for 23 years, but spent a large part of her life in Southland. She was born in Winton, before moving to Wairio, then Riverton, with her parents and older brother and sister.
Dunedin beckoned at age 19 for five years' nursing training - a period of "very fond memories and great friendships".
She then worked at Riverton Hospital - and had a stint private nursing in Wanaka - before marrying Alec Walker in 1940.
The couple lived in Invercargill, Tuatapere and Balclutha, and had two children, John and Jean.
They then spent 31 years in Ashburton where Mrs Walker resumed her nursing career after a 25-year hiatus.
Retirement came reluctantly at age 65 - "I had no option, otherwise I might have still been there". Later, Mr and Mrs Walker spent a week holidaying at a family timeshare unit in Wanaka, prompting a permanent move to the town in 1988.
Mr Walker died in 1994, but Mrs Walker said she did not lack company.
"I have people coming and going all day."
When not entertaining guests or chatting on the phone to friends, Mrs Walker is baking for her family, knitting blankets for overseas orphans, attending Probus meetings or feeding birds in her garden.
She starts every day with a bowl of porridge and bran and eats a daily serve of apples from her own garden - dietary measures she suspects could have played a role in her longevity.
"Keeping active and seeing the funny side of things" had also helped, she said.
She travelled to Turkey with her family just two years ago and only gave up her driver's licence in the past couple of years because of failing eyesight.
"If I had two new legs and a new spine and two new eyes I'd be perfect ... I'm very fortunate."
A party will be held for Mrs Walker in Wanaka this afternoon with about 70 friends and family members, including a grandson who has travelled from England for the occasion.
