At 105 years young, Mona Wiggins marked her milestone birthday this week with the activity she cherishes most: a spirited game of lawn bowls. For Mrs. Wiggins, the allure of the sport lies not just in the gentle exercise it provides, but also in the vibrant social connections it fosters. “I just love the exercise and the company,” she shared, her eyes twinkling with enthusiasm. “I’m going to play as long as I can.”
Her dedication to lawn bowls is so profound that she specifically selected her Gold Coast retirement village for one key reason – its very own private bowling green. This centenarian makes the most of this amenity at least twice a week. But her active lifestyle doesn’t stop there. When she’s not on the green, you can find her engaging in games of darts, practising her putting on the golf green, or even managing her own weekly grocery shop.
Her son, Greg Robertson, 77, who travelled from New Zealand with his 73-year-old brother Tony to celebrate their mother’s special day, commented on her boundless energy. “The hardest thing is to get her to stop,” he remarked with a fond smile. “People just gravitate towards her because of her energy and how physically active she is.”
A Life of Activity and Simplicity
Born in 1921 in rural New South Wales, Mona Wiggins dedicated a significant portion of her life to the retail sector. She attributes her remarkable longevity to a straightforward philosophy: a lifelong commitment to staying active and embracing a simple way of life. “I’ve always been active all my life and always played sport,” she explained. “I’ve eaten well and lived a good life.” Her culinary preferences are down-to-earth, favouring hearty meals. “I like steak and vegetables, casserole and vegetables, roast dinners,” she listed. While she admits to a fondness for chocolate – “I love chocolate — I’ve had too many lately,” she confessed with a laugh – she steers clear of wine.
Tony highlighted his mother’s astonishing mental acuity, which often surprises those she meets. “Because she’s so lucid, you can talk to her about Australia in the 1920s and what it was like living through the depression and the war and everything like that,” he said. “It’s living history for us.” This sharp mind, however, is paired with a famously determined streak. Tony chuckled as he recounted their frequent playful disagreements over bill payments at restaurants. “We argue every time we go out to a restaurant about who’s paying,” he admitted. “She won’t let us pay.”
Celebrating with Family and Friends
Mrs. Wiggins’s birthday on Tuesday was a joyous affair, filled with the warmth of family and the camaraderie of fellow bowlers, many of whom are considerably younger than her. “It’s been one of my best birthdays because we’ve all been together,” she beamed.
Among the attendees was her 81-year-old daughter, Lyn Daines, who resides in the same retirement village. Despite living in close proximity, Ms. Daines describes her mother as “very independent.” She expressed her own disbelief at her mother reaching the age of 105. “When I take her shopping, people think that we’re sisters and say, ‘Your sister’s waiting outside,’” she shared, recalling amusing encounters. “And I have to say, ‘Oh that’s my mother’, and they do a big double take.”
Beyond her three children, Mrs. Wiggins is the proud matriarch of a large family, boasting six grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandsons.
When asked for her advice for others seeking a long and fulfilling life, Mrs. Wiggins offered a simple yet profound message: “Just get up and do things,” she advised. “Don’t worry too much.”
