Thursday, 2 July 2026
Government House
Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC

Bujari gamarruwa 

Diyn Babana Gamarada Gadigal Ngura

I greet you in the ‘Sydney language’ of the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, the Traditional Owners of the land on which we gather. I pay my respects to their Elders past, present, and emerging, and extend that respect to all First Nations people.

It is a great pleasure to welcome each of you as a special guest at Government House. 

Today continues a tradition of more than 20 years of celebrating Centenarians here at the House, and it is always a highlight for us and each member of our staff.

It’s customary to ask anyone who has reached the age of 100 for words of wisdom, and I’m sure you get asked one question in particular all the time: ‘What’s the secret to living so long?’

And after all, you are members of one of the most exclusive clubs in the country.

Perhaps people ask because they are hoping for a reliable recipe for a long life: eating well, keeping active, and doing all those sensible things we know we should do. However, I read an article recently in The Guardian, in which Centenarians gave their tips for a live well lived, and only a few of them mentioned eating more vegetables. Their overall advice was far more unexpected. They said:^[1] 

Laugh whenever you can.

Feel good about yourself.

Don’t dwell on the past.

Follow what you’re interested in.

Sing.

Dance.

Play scrabble!

Today is testimony not only to your good health and vitality, it’s also to the way you have lived your lives. The many friends you have made. The children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren you have welcomed into the world. The careers and communities you have formed. Among you are those who travelled from other countries and built new lives in Australia, and those who have unique passions – including, I am told, a professional theatre actor and a very keen lawn bowler!

Your stories are many, but you do share one thing in common: each of you was born in the roaring 1920s. 

We look back on that time now as full of romance and excitement – a glamorous inter-war decade that was swinging to the new sounds of jazz. But we also know that your generation witnessed huge changes and upheavals. 

You came of age as children and teenagers in the Great Depression. Then, just as you reached your 20s, the world was at war. Among you are those who served in World War II, and those who farewelled loved ones who never came home.

You are a resilient generation – often termed the ‘silent generation’ for the frugality and sense of duty that shaped so much of your lives. 

You also hold precious memories of a past that today seems almost unimaginable to anyone under the age of 30 – a world of handwritten letters and wireless sets, dance halls and ration books, neighbourhoods where everyone knew each other, and life before mobile phones, computers, and even television – imagine that.

You are a treasure trove of memories, and we are so fortunate to have you all here to share those stories. In the House today, we have 18 ‘Centenarians’ with a collective age of 1,834 years. The two eldest members of our gathering are:

·       Gwendoline Wilson, who was born 7 June 1920, and is 106 years old; and

·       Karlis Gulbergs, born 8 September 1923, and 102 years old.

Gwen and Karlis – Congratulations!

Your presence, and everyone’s here today, tells of a life “well-lived”. Please share your stories with your fellow Centenarians and carers, with Dennis and I, and with the Sydney Lions Club, of which I am proud Patron - who have done so much to bring everyone together for this morning tea.

As the representative of His Majesty The King – King Charles III - in New South Wales, it is my great honour to convey my best wishes:

Congratulations, and Happy Birthday to each of our Centenarians! 100-plus years young!