Celebrating 102 years ‘not bad’

Wyndham and Districts Community Rest-home resident Ruth Benny, nee Hannabus, celebrates her 102nd birthday with granddaughter Amanda Macfarlane, of Whangarei, and other family members yesterday.

In 2021, when Mrs Benny celebrated her 100th birthday, she said she had never imagined she would reach the milestone. Now, two years later, "102’s not bad," Mrs Benny said.

Her family moved from England to Mataura when Mrs Benny was 6 so her father could take up a position at the former Mataura Paper Mill.

Mrs Benny’s first husband, Bill Carter, owned the bike shop in Mataura. They had three children.

She has been living at the rest-home since 2019. Mrs Benny has three grandchildren and three great grandchildren.