Members, have you ever wondered what the secret to a long, healthy and happy life is? We might get the answer directly from Australia’s oldest person–Catherina van der Linden.

Catherina, who is from Adelaide but currently resides in Southern Cross Care’s West Beach Residential Care Home, will turn 111 this Saturday, August 26.

On her 110th birthday last year, the van der Linden family received an email informing them that their matriarch was Australia’s oldest living person after then-titleholder 110-year-old Frank Mawer passed away.

Never one to rest on her laurels, Catherina still loves to keep active. She takes part in gym sessions several times a week and long walks–an activity that leaves staff at the residential care home in disbelief.

Catherina van der Linden will turn 111 on August 26. Credit: Southern Cross Care

'I push myself sometimes when I’m getting a bit tired, and I think it’s about time to do something to yourself to see that you still have that energy you had before,' Catherina said.

'I still go on the bike, sometimes for 10 minutes, and that is a long time to spend on the bike.'

West Beach Residential Care Manager Catherine Willoughby said Catherina was a 'fantastic' model of healthy ageing, inspiring other residents to follow her lead and develop a similar routine.

Catherina shared that she keeps an active lifestyle. Credit: Southern Cross Care

Catherina was born in 1912 in the Netherlands and is possibly also the oldest-known Dutch person in the world.

She migrated to Australia with her husband and family in 1955. Catherina has four children, ten grandchildren, and 15 great-grandchildren.

She has since held various jobs throughout her life, including as a grape picker, nursing assistant, typist, and clerical assistant.

Family members were all in awe at her achievement, as Catherina's older brothers, sisters, aunts, and uncles all only lived to their 60s or early 70s.

Her oldest daughter, Mariella Hocking, attributes this to her mother's 'freaky gene'.

Since retiring, Catherina says she likes to spend time with family and friends over a 'simple meal' and finds joy in socialising with her peers.

Her key to a long life? 'Be happy with yourself and be content with what life gives you'.

You can watch Catherina’s birthday celebration here:

​

Key Takeaways

• Australia's oldest person, Catherina van der Linden, is set to celebrate her 111th birthday on August 26.
  
• She attributes her longevity to keeping active, including gym sessions and regular walks.
  
• She lives in West Beach Residential Care in Adelaide and is also believed to be the oldest-known Dutch person in the world.
  
• Born in the Netherlands in 1912, she migrated to Australia with her family in 1955 and held various jobs throughout her life. She has four children, ten grandchildren, and 15 great-grandchildren.
  

We at the SDC wish Catherina van der Linden a happy birthday!

What are some of the activities you like to do to stay active and sharp? Let us know in the comments below!

 

[Penny4]

I tend to agree with her daughter saying she's got a "freaky gene."
Well done, and she's probably amazed herself that she's lived this long.
Her body would ache, plus she says she gets tired. I would too at that age.

 

[rehandra]

Members, have you ever wondered what the secret to a long, healthy and happy life is? We might get the answer directly from Australia’s oldest person–Catherina van der Linden.

Catherina, who is from Adelaide but currently resides in Southern Cross Care’s West Beach Residential Care Home, will turn 111 this Saturday, August 26.

On her 110th birthday last year, the van der Linden family received an email informing them that their matriarch was Australia’s oldest living person after then-titleholder 110-year-old Frank Mawer passed away.

Never one to rest on her laurels, Catherina still loves to keep active. She takes part in gym sessions several times a week and long walks–an activity that leaves staff at the residential care home in disbelief.

View attachment 28271

Catherina van der Linden will turn 111 on August 26. Credit: Southern Cross Care

'I push myself sometimes when I’m getting a bit tired, and I think it’s about time to do something to yourself to see that you still have that energy you had before,' Catherina said.

'I still go on the bike, sometimes for 10 minutes, and that is a long time to spend on the bike.'

West Beach Residential Care Manager Catherine Willoughby said Catherina was a 'fantastic' model of healthy ageing, inspiring other residents to follow her lead and develop a similar routine.

View attachment 28270

Catherina shared that she keeps an active lifestyle. Credit: Southern Cross Care

Catherina was born in 1912 in the Netherlands and is possibly also the oldest-known Dutch person in the world.

She migrated to Australia with her husband and family in 1955. Catherina has four children, ten grandchildren, and 15 great-grandchildren.

She has since held various jobs throughout her life, including as a grape picker, nursing assistant, typist, and clerical assistant.

Family members were all in awe at her achievement, as Catherina's older brothers, sisters, aunts, and uncles all only lived to their 60s or early 70s.

Her oldest daughter, Mariella Hocking, attributes this to her mother's 'freaky gene'.

Since retiring, Catherina says she likes to spend time with family and friends over a 'simple meal' and finds joy in socialising with her peers.

Her key to a long life? 'Be happy with yourself and be content with what life gives you'.

You can watch Catherina’s birthday celebration here:

​

Key Takeaways

• Australia's oldest person, Catherina van der Linden, is set to celebrate her 111th birthday on August 26.
• She attributes her longevity to keeping active, including gym sessions and regular walks.
• She lives in West Beach Residential Care in Adelaide and is also believed to be the oldest-known Dutch person in the world.
• Born in the Netherlands in 1912, she migrated to Australia with her family in 1955 and held various jobs throughout her life. She has four children, ten grandchildren, and 15 great-grandchildren.

We at the SDC wish Catherina van der Linden a happy birthday!

What are some of the activities you like to do to stay active and sharp? Let us know in the comments below!

I walk 30 mins every day on my treadmill doing 2.5 kms each time. Started going to chair yoga as well on a MOnday. Just had my bone density done and doctor said to me that I had improved my density and asked how I did it as most people lost it not gain it when my age. All I could think of was that I had started taking Vit D with Calcium about 5 years ago after my last scan and of course the walking. Also had my health check for memory and got 100%; so far so good. I am 78.

 

[Mina vriesekolk]

Well , that says it all , coming from Dutch heritage !
My mother was like that , born and grown up on a farm and eat most of your own organic products , working hard on the farm , 7 days a week .
Later she went to the gym for seniors and learned to swim when she was 50 yrs and from then on went swimming once a week . She was very arti-crafty and I have many of her products/memories in our house .
She happened to be the oldest person in town and passed away at 103 yrs and 3 days only 2 months ago after she had a terrible pneumonia . She had a very long , happy and healthy life .

 

[Penny4]

Well , that says it all , coming from Dutch heritage !
My mother was like that , born and grown up on a farm and eat most of your own organic products , working hard on the farm , 7 days a week .
Later she went to the gym for seniors and learned to swim when she was 50 yrs and from then on went swimming once a week . She was very arti-crafty and I have many of her products/memories in our house .
She happened to be the oldest person in town and passed away at 103 yrs and 3 days only 2 months ago after she had a terrible pneumonia . She had a very long , happy and healthy life .

I've a got lovely Dutch friend. A long time ago, she gave me her mother's Dutch apple pie recipe. Sparked my memory to make it again.
Well done to your dear mother too.

 

[Loubeauxarts]

This story just made my day. Suddenly I don't feel so old any more, I'm 70. Might plug my guitar in and play a few rock riffs

 

[Luckyus]

Members, have you ever wondered what the secret to a long, healthy and happy life is? We might get the answer directly from Australia’s oldest person–Catherina van der Linden.

Catherina, who is from Adelaide but currently resides in Southern Cross Care’s West Beach Residential Care Home, will turn 111 this Saturday, August 26.

On her 110th birthday last year, the van der Linden family received an email informing them that their matriarch was Australia’s oldest living person after then-titleholder 110-year-old Frank Mawer passed away.

Never one to rest on her laurels, Catherina still loves to keep active. She takes part in gym sessions several times a week and long walks–an activity that leaves staff at the residential care home in disbelief.

View attachment 28271

Catherina van der Linden will turn 111 on August 26. Credit: Southern Cross Care

'I push myself sometimes when I’m getting a bit tired, and I think it’s about time to do something to yourself to see that you still have that energy you had before,' Catherina said.

'I still go on the bike, sometimes for 10 minutes, and that is a long time to spend on the bike.'

West Beach Residential Care Manager Catherine Willoughby said Catherina was a 'fantastic' model of healthy ageing, inspiring other residents to follow her lead and develop a similar routine.

View attachment 28270

Catherina shared that she keeps an active lifestyle. Credit: Southern Cross Care

Catherina was born in 1912 in the Netherlands and is possibly also the oldest-known Dutch person in the world.

She migrated to Australia with her husband and family in 1955. Catherina has four children, ten grandchildren, and 15 great-grandchildren.

She has since held various jobs throughout her life, including as a grape picker, nursing assistant, typist, and clerical assistant.

Family members were all in awe at her achievement, as Catherina's older brothers, sisters, aunts, and uncles all only lived to their 60s or early 70s.

Her oldest daughter, Mariella Hocking, attributes this to her mother's 'freaky gene'.

Since retiring, Catherina says she likes to spend time with family and friends over a 'simple meal' and finds joy in socialising with her peers.

Her key to a long life? 'Be happy with yourself and be content with what life gives you'.

You can watch Catherina’s birthday celebration here:

​

Key Takeaways

• Australia's oldest person, Catherina van der Linden, is set to celebrate her 111th birthday on August 26.
• She attributes her longevity to keeping active, including gym sessions and regular walks.
• She lives in West Beach Residential Care in Adelaide and is also believed to be the oldest-known Dutch person in the world.
• Born in the Netherlands in 1912, she migrated to Australia with her family in 1955 and held various jobs throughout her life. She has four children, ten grandchildren, and 15 great-grandchildren.

We at the SDC wish Catherina van der Linden a happy birthday!

What are some of the activities you like to do to stay active and sharp? Let us know in the comments below!

Rreading this article for some reason reminds of a Round the Horn radio skit with Kenneth Horne and Betty Marsden!!

 

[Mina vriesekolk]

This story just made my day. Suddenly I don't feel so old any more, I'm 70. Might plug my guitar in and play a few rock riffs

That’s what my husband does as well and he is nearly 74 . Plays his guitar every day in his man cave with a magic view on the lake . Keeps him young as well .

 

[Mina vriesekolk]

I've a got lovely Dutch friend. A long time ago, she gave me her mother's Dutch apple pie recipe. Sparked my memory to make it again.
Well done to your dear mother too.

I still have a Dutch cookbook and of course the apple pie , my mother made it every weekend and also a vanilla cake .
Every year on New Year’s Eve I make a Dutch tradition of Oliebollen , made with rising dough and apples and fruit inside you bake it in the deep fryer . I usually bake for a lot of friends and who have Dutch heritage and they all love them . It is a one day a year treat .

 

[Leenie]

I walk 30 mins every day on my treadmill doing 2.5 kms each time. Started going to chair yoga as well on a MOnday. Just had my bone density done and doctor said to me that I had improved my density and asked how I did it as most people lost it not gain it when my age. All I could think of was that I had started taking Vit D with Calcium about 5 years ago after my last scan and of course the walking. Also had my health check for memory and got 100%; so far so good. I am 78.

 

[Leenie]

I also walk every morning plus use an exercise machine in the park 30 mins + the oldest in my family was 96 ,and I am nearly 88 so hopefully will pass that number.walking at 4 -30 to 5am in fresh air has a lot of benefits.