The secret to life at 107

ANOTHER year has passed, taking Frances Reid to an impressive tally of 107 years of life.

Frances celebrated her birthday at Elouera Aged Care Centre in Torquay on Sunday, where she resides.

Frances, as she did last year, believes the secret to long life is a glass or two of sherry each day, and, “a brandy each night.”

Frances was born in Forrest on January 21 in 1911 and lived at Grangermete on a farm until 1953 when she moved to the small country town of Skipton.

She followed the local football and never missed the weekly movies.

When her husband Jim retired, they moved to Ballarat.

After Jim passed away, she continued to live alone until she was 100 years old when she moved to be near her daughter Elwin Pollard.

Frances has nine grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, 11 great-great grandchildren and one great-great-great nephew.

At her 100th celebration, Ted Baillieu attended and asked her what she wished for.

“A pay rise,” she replied.

Through witnessing the death of her parents, siblings, husband, daughter, and many friends, Ms Reid remains positive about life each day and her advice to today’s youngsters is “live honestly”.

Overseas travel came later in life, and at 87, she recalls a European trip through England, France, Belgium, and Ireland as one of her life’s highlights.

But she says the most amazing thing she’s seen in her lifetime would have to be the invention of the motorcar.