Reaching the age of 100 is an impressive achievement in anyone’s language!

Some say it is about attitude; some say it is what you eat or that nip of whiskey before bed. However, whatever the reason it is a special and unique milestone.

In the days of social media and instant communication, where a large number of people document their every move, milestones still matter.

Birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, no matter what the achievement, these highlights authenticate the passage of time. They shape our lives and they record the story of our life.

As Aristotle put it, “not only do we measure change by time, but time by change, because they are defined by one another.”

Doncaster Melaleuca Lodge has 3 centenarians among its ranks. Dennis Gaffney 104, Aileen McNeair 103, and Linda Bottegal 100, each with a different story to tell.

During their lifetimes, all of them have seen remarkable transformations as well as destructive developments. And all the while, they have celebrated many milestones spanning more than one generation.

All 3 residents lived independently in their own homes before calling Doncaster Melaleuca Lodge home. All were immigrants to this land. Dennis arrived as a 4 year old from the UK, and was an engineer by occupation. Arriving from New Zealand as a 5 year old, Aileen taught piano and was also a secretary. And Linda arrived in Australia at the ripe old age of 12, working hard as a domestic house keeper and as a clothes presser in a factory.

During the day, the ladies like to read the newspaper daily to keep up to date with the news and current affairs. Dennis enjoys watching sport on TV and is an avid sports follower especially of the AFL, and with his team being Essendon, there have been some tough years over the past decade.

Each story is unique, however, all are connected by life’s milestones and being part of the 100 club!

**Dennis Gaffney passed away on 15 September 2018 not long after this photo was taken and the story was written. Sympathies to his family and friends.