A beer a day, says Edith turning 100

By Jonathon Howard

BANORA POINT resident Edith Ross has a smile that can light up a room and a few tips for living a happy and somewhat healthy life, as she gets ready to celebrate her 100th birthday on Sunday, June 25.

It’s not everyone’s recipe for a long life, but Edith believes a beer a day, some potato chips and a “good cuppa” are her secrets.

Edith was born in 1923 in Brisbane. She grew up in Camp Hill and has fond memories of life growing up in Queensland.

These days, Edith has lived with her daughter Beryl Anderson since 2007.

Beryl and Edith’s granddaughter Teneesha assisted The Weekly with Edith’s life story.

Edith worked at the Committee of Direction of Fruit Marketing in Brisbane as the secretary for many years.

“I first started working there at 16 and stayed in the job for eight years until I was married,” she said.

She was working there when they came up with the name ‘Golden Circle’ for the well-known juice company.

She is in the group photo on the company’s webpage in the front row, second from the left, which was taken between 1939 and 1947.

Edith remembers growing up in

Brisbane fondly and loved school at what is now called Camp Hill School, previously Mt Bruce School.

“I remember that the World War II years did not impact me too much in Brisbane,” she said.

“I can recall we had to darken the lights at home and my father was an air raid warden.

“There was a big search light placed on Mt Coot-tha during those years.”

Edith’s fondest memories are those she shares with her family.

“I love my family very much and have 21 great-grandchildren and love everyone,” she said with her beautiful smile.

“Never thought I’d be 100, but you can never tell.”

Edith loves her life in Australia and never felt compelled to travel overseas.

Despite enjoying a beer, although less and less these days, Edith still promotes good health and being happy in life as her secrets.

“Make sure when you go to sleep you think about family,” she said.

She loves living in Banora Point but misses Camp Hill and her life in Brisbane.

“I will be going for the Maroons in the State of Origin,” she said.

“Only been to Mackay. Never ever thought to travel.”

Edith is the proud mother to four children, grandmother to eight, great-grandmother to twenty-one and great-great-grandmother to two.

“The real key to living a long life is a beer a day, some Smiths potato chips and a good cuppa and biscuit,” she said.

She also mentioned how much the world has changed since she was growing up, when she was a child she had a candle that she blew out