EATING porridge with crushed peanuts daily is one of the keys to living to 100, according to a local woman who reached the milestone recently.
Renmark’s Kathleen Warnock turned 100 on Tuesday, February 9, and celebrated the milestone with 200 of her family and friends at the Renmark Hotel.
Mrs Warnock received letters from Queen Elizabeth II, Australian political leaders, Member for Chaffey Tim Whetstone and a congratulations from Renmark Paringa Council Mayor Neil Martinson.
Mrs Warnock described reaching the 100 milestone as a “sigh of relief”.
“I didn’t know if I was going to make it to 100 but as it got closer, it felt good to finally get there,” she said.
“At my party, I felt so overwhelmed that I almost wished I was attending someone else’s event. But I enjoyed myself and I have a beautiful family and good friends.
“I am so grateful for Brad and Lorna Taylor and Jill Knight also, for the beautiful flower arrangements that were in the room.”
Mrs Warnock said she has lived a “blessed life”.
“I have 10 children, more than 30 grandchildren and a lot of ‘great-grandies’,” she said.
“I have watched my children get married and my grandchildren get married – not a lot of people get to experience both.
“I’ve lived through wars, the Great Depression and a pandemic. I am a very lucky woman.”
And the secrets to reaching 100?
“Every day when I wake up I have a bowl of porridge with crushed peanuts inside,” Mrs Warnock said.
“I keep active, do crossword puzzles, but mostly, I keep breathing.
“I’m pretty independent and I have a wonderful support system behind me.”