A few weeks back, I reflected on our youth and the valuable contribution they make and will continue to make in our community. At the beginning of September, myself and the Councillors got to workshop ideas with local students at our new-look Youth Engagement Meeting at the Pavilion, it was a fantastic experience and valuable insights were gained all round.

At the other end of the scale, and equally enlightening, can you imagine witnessing an entire century with your own eyes? To have personally witnessed 100 years of life?

For most of us, such longevity and the wisdom that comes with it is a dream. Happily there are quite a few people right here in our area with just such a long and delightful story to share. As it turns out, we have heaps of folks in their 100th decade. So, we believe it’s only right to recognise these centenarians (anyone aged 90+) with a great big party!

This is part of one of the five pillars of our Community Strategic Plan: that we are part of a connected and liveable community.

What could be more connected and liveable than to celebrate with people who have lived through some of the most remarkable events of human history? Their lives were shaped by the changing fortunes of time. Now, two-and-a-bit decades into the twenty-first century, we will come together at Barroul House Cafe to chat to those that have lived, learned, changed, forgave, forgot, and learned some more.

If you have a friend, relative, centenarian (or anyone in their senior years for that matter) who wishes to celebrate with us, you will be welcome. Come along and join the ‘100 Club’ with us.

Senior members of our community and their optimistic attitude, their glorious sense of adventure and wonder touch me deeply. I count us as very lucky to have such an excellent aged care facility as Blue Haven here in Kiama. Whatever transpires with our financial issues, I can guarantee that it will continue to be there as it is, whether owned by Council or not.

Two wonderful centenarians I know well are Harold and Eunice West, both of whom I met through my membership of the Kiama/Jamberoo RSL Sub branch. Harold, the sly young pup, married an older woman, so Eunice (his wife) turned a hundred months before he is due to tick over the ton... on 16 September!

You can meet Harold and Eunice at our ‘100 Club’ celebration at Barroul House Cafe on 30 September.

Kiama Council and Blue Haven will be providing afternoon tea and entertainment and the event is free to attend but you must register at www.kiama.nsw.gov.au/100-club