It’s not everyday that someone turns 96, but for Vonda Carter, Wednesday, October 26 was that day.
The Melbourne-born Shepparton resident moved to the Goulburn Valley 44 years ago and has made the town her home ever since.
Surrounded by her friends and family on Wednesday at the Shepparton Senior Citizens Centre, Mrs Carter enjoyed a delicious meal of party food and cake to celebrate her milestone.
Born in 1926, Mrs Carter has lived through a lot over the past 96 years. She experienced the Roaring Twenties and the Great Depression.
She witnessed the rise and fall of Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan as well as a handful of other wars including Vietnam and the War on Terror.
She has seen the reign of three British monarchs and outlived two of them.
In her lifetime, communication has transformed from typewriters and landlines to smart phones and the internet.
Mrs Carter has one daughter (her son tragically died in a car accident), four grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren of which she is thrilled about.
“It’s great,” Mrs Carter said.
She has many fond memories, but perhaps the fondest and the one which fills her with the most pride, was during World War II when Mrs Carter was part of a performing troop which entertained soldiers stationed around Victoria.
“That was one of the best times of my life. We had a wonderful time,” Mrs Carter said.
Another great memory was when she spent the day with family in Nagambie to celebrate her 80th birthday.
Naturally, for someone of her esteemed age, Mrs Carter has heard many famous singers that have graced the world stage including Elvis and The Beatles of which she liked the former over the latter.
Asked about any regrets, Mrs Carter said she had none.
As for her secret for a long and healthy life, Mrs Carter attributed it to not worrying and being easy going
“Whatever’s going to happen is going to happen ... I’m not a worrier,” Mrs Carter said.
As for the younger generation, Mrs Carter has this advice — “Don’t worry about anything.”
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