Making it to 100 years old can seem no easy task, but Minnamurra’s Lesley Southon has taken it in her stride with a smile and sense of optimism.

“I seem to have filled my life, much of it with plays and music,” she says.

“My life has been happy and a bit cheeky.”

Lesley was born in Bronte and lived there for 58 years before moving to Minnamurra, when she joined the Minnamurra Mad Caps and Kiama Uniting Church. She now resides at Bonaira Blue Haven.

“No one thought I’d ever leave Bronte because it was so lovely then but after my son married and moved to Kiama Downs, I started to think maybe I should come down here too,” she says.

“I was very blessed because I've truly loved it here. It didn't take me long to get to know everyone, and their dogs and cats.”

Throughout her life, Lesley has sung, put on plays (including at the Kiama Uniting Church), worked as a typist and was a secretary to the headmaster of the junior years at Sydney Grammar School. She also did canteen work for the Defence Force in Sydney during WW2.

“I directed about two musicals a year for the community church and it nearly wore me out, but to see the finished product was like wine,” she says.

“I worked in various canteens for the war, Mum wouldn’t let me join up, but it was hard yakka cooking and peeling potatoes and peas for the men.”

Lesley still loves to read and paint, and also did tai chi for many years.

“I’m a word person and I read copiously,” she says.

“I do some painting too, but I have to paint something that really appeals to me.

“I loved Tai Chi because it teaches you to meditate and not to be anywhere but just there in the middle, somewhere.”

When asked about life advice, Lesley says, “Right is still right and wrong is still wrong and you have to walk in the middle. It’s about finding the good in life, being kind and knowing that there’s a lot to laugh at in life, which I have done.”

Lesley celebrated her 100th birthday on the 30 April at the Kiama Golf Club surrounded by family and friends.

“It was wonderful,” she says.