Oldest living war and Gallipoli widow - 110 years old today
The Australian Government today recognised the nation's oldest war and Gallipoli widow, Mrs Doreen Washington, as she marked her 110th birthday.
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May 24, 2008
The Australian Government today recognised the nation’s oldest living war and Gallipoli widow - Mrs Doreen Washington -- as she marked her 110th birthday.
Mrs Washington is one of 453 World War I Australian war widows and is among the 60 documented oldest people in the world. Mrs Washington is the 4th oldest living Australian and the oldest is a 112 year-old Victorian woman.
Minister for Ageing, Mrs Justine Elliot is expected to mark the occasion today (Saturday May 24 at 2.30pm) with Mrs Washington at a Collaroy RSL nursing home.
Mrs Washington received an official letter of congratulation from Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and his wife, Therese Rein on her 110th birthday.
Mrs Washington was born Alice Doreen Rathbone on May 24, 1898 in Rockhampton, Queensland. She lived by herself in Newport until she was 103.
It has been said that: “Mrs Washington loves butter, salt, meat pies and a glass of Scotch or beer and eats virtually no fruit or vegetables. She still walks and takes no medication.”
Her late-husband, Private Lavington “Bill” Ainsley Washington served at Gallipoli and the Western Front. (He died in 1965 and she never re-married. They had no children)
Mrs Washington has her birth certificate, verifying her age – allowing her to be eligible for inclusion in the International Database on Longevity in France. She is part of a new ageing phenomenon – the “super-centenarians” – those who reach 110.
Mrs Elliot said: “Mrs Washington is a pure link with our nation’s past. She has seen the growth of Australia as a nation first hand.”
“Mrs Washington has witnessed 23 prime ministers, seen the development of airplane and automobile travel and is older than the Federation of Australia.”
Australians now have fourth longest life expectancy in the world – after the Japanese, Swiss and the Icelanders. Currently, there are 2,860 Australians over the age of 100 and that is expected to increase to 78,000 by 2055. Australians are living longer because of advances in medicine and active lifestyles.
“An ageing population creates so many opportunities; we can learn so much from the wisdom, knowledge and experience of older Australians,” Mrs Elliot said.
Media contact: Ruci Fixter 0415 359 023 – (02) 6277-7280
Prime Minister’s letter:
24 May 2008
Mrs Doreen Washington
Peter Cosgrove House
War Veterans Village
PO Box 56
Narrabeen NSW 2101
Dear Mrs Washington
Thérèse and I are especially pleased to be able to offer you our congratulations on the remarkable milestone of your 110th birthday.
We hope that you have a wonderful day celebrating with your friends at the War Veterans’ Village.
You have seen some incredible changes in the world in your life thus far. You experienced the First World War, where your late husband “Bill” served with distinction at Gallipoli and on the Western Front, and the Second World War, where you worked together in a munitions factory. This was followed by your life together in Clontarf and your travels around the world after your husband passed away. Now you have the Australia of today – a nation that is yet to reach the milestone you have reached!
We hope that as you celebrate you can share some stories from your journey with your friends.
We wish you all the very best for this special day and for many more birthdays to come.
Kind Regards,
The Hon. Kevin Rudd MP
Prime Minister of Australia
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