Find out whats happening at Celebrate Living History a program focussed on connecting generations through storytelling.

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It has been an amazing semester; I’ve had the pleasure of
working with the wonderful Griffith University interns
Madison, Kate and Margaret who have gone above and
beyond to capture stories of seniors in the community.
I am always so happy that the Celebrate Living History
program has the ability to connect generations
transcending over culture, age and stereotypes.
In saying this, I have been working on the Winston
Churchill fellowship over the past few months. And it has
been amazing to connect with folks
who are as passionate about
connecting generations as I am.
I connected with folks from the
United States, United Kingdom,
4Follow our Mascot Ava to Page
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Connecting young
people and seniors to
document stories for
future generations
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Selfie Time with Interns Kate and
Madison
Semester 1: 2016
Inside
Words from Bev the founder
of Celebrate Living History
Words from Bev
Wilkinson
Stella Wilkie- 100
Years and Counting
Adventures of Kate
and Madison
Rotary Club of
Somerville Tyabb
Happy Stuff
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2. www.celebratelivinghistory.com Issue 5: 2016
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Stella Wilkie was born on December 6, 1915
making her the grand age of 100, and only
half way to 101.
Having never met someone of Stella’s age, I
wasn’t quite sure what to expect when I
went for a visit at her nursing home in
Murwillumbah. When I arrived the nurse
and I went looking for Stella in her room,
but it was empty. She wasn’t sitting inside
watching television with the other
residents, instead we found her outside
enjoying the sun by herself. I asked her
about the letter of congratulations she’d
received from the Queen for her
100th birthday.
She was quick to her feet ready to take me
to her room to show me the letter she was
so proud of. Within the first minute of
conversation it was clear her mind was as
sharp as ever and she was most definitely
the boss.
“I’m the boss when I’m around, but you
have to learn that. You can’t be bossy ‘til
you’ve grown up. You’ve got to be sensible
and have common sense. If you’re not sure,
go to a person that is sensible and
knowledgeable.” If I was ever unsure about
anything I’m sure Stella would have a few
wise words to say about it.
Stella Wilkie- 100 years and counting
By Kate Grant
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Evidently her smarts and directness have
served her well in the past century, taking
her from humble beginnings in New Zealand
to travelling the world. She was born in
Christchurch into a working class family
with a brother and two sisters. In those days
the amount of wealth your family had
determined your social standing and
ultimately your intelligence.
“If your people had a little bit of money it
meant that the kids were smart, but if you
were just working people like me you were
dumb. But it was the boot on the other foot
because the people that had to work, well
they learnt something but the others thought
that they didn’t need to learn anything.”
At sixteen Stella had a job working at the
local YMCA for sixteen shillings a week, the
equivalent today would be about $30
Australian. She was not content living off
this amount and although her employers
thought she was a bit dull, Stella had a
bright idea. The only thing there was never
going to be anymore of was land. She had no
interest in going out to any of those ‘posh
places’, any bit of money she earned was
saved.
Story continues Page 3.

3. Celebrate Living History Issue 5: 2016
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Eventually she became quite wealthy and started looking for
a property to buy. She came across a wonderful property
owned by a chap who must’ve been quite mad and had gone
bankrupt.
Instead of buying the property for the $350,000 she initially
offered him, she learnt that all she needed to pay was the
amount he owed. Having made a decent profit on this
property, she decided to use the same tactic when seeking
out additional properties to purchase.
“I started to think I was not so dumb. Starting off poor I got
the idea that, you know, you didn’t go silly with money.”
Having become a success in New Zealand, Stella decided
she’d travel the world. There’s not many places she hasn’t
been in her life, the list includes but is not limited to Greece,
Spain, Russia, Germany, and Italy. She always travelled by
ship, never by plane and always first class. She was
particularly fond of Greece and visited many times. She
recalls some friends she met there, including a Greek boy
who said to her, ‘Oh your father must’ve been the baker he
made a very good cake!’ to which she replied, ‘Well you’re
not even getting bread crumbs!’
Despite her wealth, she’d opt to stay in small bed and
breakfasts for a month at a time when she travelled. Not only
did this help out the poorer families in the region, but she
was able to learn about their way of life. When the family’s
kids were sensible enough she sent them off to New Zealand
to broaden their education. Stella has always been
headstrong even as a child.
“I remember my mother said to me, ‘I’ve never known a kid
that answered back the way you do,’ and I remember saying
‘I’m not answering back, I’m just telling you!’” These days
you wouldn’t expect anything less of her. When she learned I
would be travelling to Europe at the end of the year she had
some sound advice which was to “use your common sense,
and keep your legs closed!” In her 100 years of worldly
adventures and business success, what Stella values the most
is telling the truth, good or bad. Being such a straight shooter
has earnt her the respect of her peers across the globe.
It was a great pleasure being able to talk with Stella, she
certainly makes an impression on you. A sign of a great
person is to be remembered and I think a lot of people will
remember Stella. Though don’t think for a second that she’ll
be leaving us anytime soon, with the strength that woman
has I bet she’ll outlive us all.
Our Griffith University
interns worked together to
cover the Tweed Heads
Bowls Club
Commemorative Shield
Match in May.
The match involves the two
clubs sitting just either
side of the Queensland and
New South Wales border.
They have been having this
match every year since the
Tweed Heads/Coolangatta
bowls club split to form the
Tweed Heads Bowls Club
in 1948. Although this is a
friendly match there is
definitely some rivalry in
the air.
Adventures of
Kate and
Madison

4. www.celebratelivinghistory.com Issue 5: 2016
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Continued from page 1
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Finland, Sweden and Japan about their love for not only
connecting generations but also breaking stereotypes
about age. I enjoyed that even though we are on other
sides of the world that we bonded over our love of making
a senior feel valued and most of all important in society.
Sometimes all we see is an “old person” and never really
delve into who that person is. Once you start chatting to a
senior, barriers break down and you start to really see the
person inside. That is where my heart is and where it will
always be.
Even though I did not get through to the interview round
of the Winston Churchill fellowship. I am grateful for the
opportunity to connect with others who are as passionate
about connecting generations as I am. I realized even
though I received a No from the Churchill folks that I am
the master of where I go in life.
While it would be nice to have the support of a major
fellowship, I’ve always opened my own doors. I ‘ve always
believed in saying Yes to myself. It has been this way since
2012; if I had listened to all the negativity then all that
I’ve created now would cease to exist. Back then I
struggled to use my degree and I was really passionate
about being able to use my education. All I needed was a
door to open. So I created the Celebrate Living History
program, which gave me the opportunity to help mentor
and lead many wonderful university and high school
students to connect with seniors and their stories. This
was my chance to not only engage with students, but
really discover what I was passionate about.
So in 2016 I’m going to say Yes to my dreams. One of my
goals is to speak at the 2017 Global Intergenerational
Conference in Milwaukee and to meet some of the folks
I’ve connected with over the past few months. I believe I
can still make my dreams a reality. I may not be flying
first class, I may be staying backpackers.
But I believe it can be done, I will speak on an
Our founder Bev was
invited to speak about
her passion for
connecting young
people with seniors at
the Rotary Club of
Somerville Tyabb.
It was a delight to
mingle with the
community minded
folks of the Mornington
Peninsula.
Meeting the
folks at Rotary
Club of
Somerville
Tyabb

5. Celebrate Living History Issue 5: 2016
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international level and most of all be
heard and respected by those in an
industry that I have learnt to admire.
So I’m saying don’t give up! Juggle many
jobs. (Yes I work in disability care,
customer service and mental health to
live!) Do what you have to do to make
your dreams a reality.
We only have one life. Adversity only
makes us stronger and gives us a way to
fight for our dreams.
Till Later Folks
Bev
Founder of Celebrate Living History
Contact:
Celebrate Living History
PO BOX 11253 Frankston 3199
www.celebratelivinghistory.com
celebratelivinghistory@gmail.com
(Continued)
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6. Happy Stuff