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Picture : Supplied .
A long life
Australia ’ s oldest man has died peacefully in his sleep .
By Elise Hartevelt
Living past your 110th birthday may sound like a dream for some and a nightmare for others .
For Australia ’ s oldest man , Frank Mawer , it was a long ride full of excitement and extraordinary adventures .
He was born on August 15 1912 and lived independently until last November , after which he took residence in his son Philip ’ s house at Central Tilba .
“ He lived life to the full even in recent months . He insisted on sitting up for meals , he did his exercises every day , and had plenty of visitors ,” Mawer ’ s other son , Barry , said .
“ He went to have his afternoon nap on Saturday afternoon and never woke up .”
In 1939 , Mawer married his sweetheart Elizabeth , an Irish immigrant , with whom he raised six children .
Over the years , the family grew to include 13 grandchildren , 21 great-grandchildren and two great , great-grandchildren .
They loved to spend holidays at the Blue Lagoon Beach Resort at Bateau Bay on the NSW Central Coast before Christmas – an activity they did for over 60 years , usually at the same beachfront site .
The fondness of that caravan park and the memories led to a street named after them in their honour .
Although Mawer couldn ’ t share his final years with his wife , who passed away in 2011 at 92 , he felt blessed to have had her by his side for the main parts of his life .
“ It was a long marriage to a lovely girl ,” Mawer said in a previous statement .
When asked during an interview in 2020 what Mawer ’ s secret was to living such a long life , he said it was quite simple – no smoking , drinking and gambling .
“ He lived life to the full .
“ These are three things you can choose . The way you live makes a difference . And the schooling costs of my six children was a worthy investment ,” he said .
While he had stopped drinking at age 30 and didn ’ t touch alcohol for 80 years , Mawer enjoyed spending time with his family and eating Portuguese tarts from a local bakery .
During Mawer ’ s time living independently in his apartment at Gymea in Sydney ’ s south , he was supported by HammondCare At Home staff .
Chief of HammondCare , Mike Baird , said he was honoured to have cared for Mawer for all those years .
“ Frank was the most inspiring individual – a gracious man and a man of faith ,” Baird said .
“ We ’ re proud to have helped him live his life to the full to the end .” ■
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