HAVING a resident reach 107 years of age is a grand feat but having two at the same retirement village would leave anybody asking, what is in the water at Roma?
Dexter Kruger and Olive Reade celebrated their major milestone on January 13 and 17 at the Pinaroo Roma Inc. aged care facility.
While Ms Reade wasn’t up to speaking when the Queensland Country Life’s visited, Mr Kruger made up for her absence sharing stories from his long life.
Mr Kruger was born in Nundah after his mother rode on horseback to a train station in order to get to birthing facilities. He was carried in his parent’s arms on the pommel of their saddle as they returned home with the newborn.
During his lifetime, Mr Kruger purchased his own land, was accredited and had authority to operate as a rural vet surgeon and was the pioneer of the live-weight cattle selling system.
He has since gone on to write 10 books about his life but he said it was country living that was the key to reaching the milestone.
“I think it’s just that I have lived a life in the bush in the country air,” he said.
“I keep as close to nature as possible.
“I think it’s the outlook that you have on life that has a great bearing on your longevity.”
Mr Kruger is the fourth oldest man in Australia and was living on his own up until the age of 103.
After owning cattle for 100 years he said he wished he was still young enough to take advantage of the current market.
“It (the cattle market) is very profitable these days,” he said.
“Although I only get my information from other people talking it appears the reason for the prices that it’s bringing today is that there is a shortage in all the markets that we have access to.
“It takes a while for cattle numbers to breed up...I think the prices will last for several years.”
Pinaroo Manager and CEO Ian Murphy said it was a privilege to have two residents reach such a magnificent milestone.
“I believe we are the only aged care facility in Australia that can claim this,” he said.
“The staff have a special connection with Dexter and Olive as they are both delightful caring people and they have led amazing lives.
“We wish them many happy days ahead.”
Mr Kruger will also appear in the TV show You Can’t Ask That on ABC later this year.