Frank Holland’s hundred a long time coming

A SELF-effacing born and bred Bendigonian who will celebrate his 100th birthday on Sunday 21 June has credited healthy living and meeting his second wife Lillian during his 80s as reasons for his longevity.

Soon-to-be centenarian Frank Holland, who resides at an aged care home in East Bendigo with Lillian, had not been averse to an occasional tipple along the way, however it was a doctor’s advice that set him on a different path.

“I was told a few years ago alcohol wasn’t doing my liver and kidneys any good, so I gave it up altogether,” he said.

“My daughter and grandson got all the whisky and my son-in-law, he got all the nice red wines and ports.”

It was meeting the lovely Lillian, however, that has properly defined his later years.

“We were both in the Air Force Association,” he explained.

“Lillian’s (deceased) partner had been a pilot – I’d known him to talk to and I’d nod my head to Lillian.

“After my first wife passed away, we were going on a trip to Point Cook, which we often did.

“One couple had asked me to come with them and I said, ‘No, I don’t want to cramp your style’.

“They said, ‘Oh, you can come and sit in front or behind us so we can talk’ – so that’s what we did.

“Then Lillian came onto the bus and they said, ‘Frank’s on his own, sit with him’.

“That’s 16 years ago now. We’ve been together ever since.”

Frank and Lillian will mark the occasion this weekend with loved ones as well as with White Hills Probus Club members on the following Tuesday.