Kiama has welcomed its latest centenarian as Phyllis Cowell celebrated her 100th birthday on 19 December 2023.

Phyllis (or Phyl as she’s known) moved to Kiama in 1992 with her husband Walter from Mollymook after he became ill, and the couple found it too difficult travelling back and forth between Sydney to meet with doctors.

Phyl herself was born in Sydney at Bondi and spent her early years in Bronte before attending Sydney Girls High School.

She went to Business College for two years and entered the job market, where she worked until she got married at the age of 20. “In those days, married women didn’t go back to work,” Phyl told The Bugle. The couple had two daughters and five grandchildren.

Phyl has kept active in her senior years, being a member of the local Probus and Gardening Clubs until recently. She was still driving her car up until she was 99, and still cleaned her when she was 97.

She still cooks all her own meals, and attributes her love of “good tucker” for her long life. But the real secret of living a long life, according to Phyl: “Keep smiling!”