Alma celebrating a century
There was great excitement at Parkland House Hostel at Willaura, with resident Alma Sloper celebrating her 100th birthday.
All East Grampians Health Service Willaura Healthcare staff ensured the centenarian had an opportunity to celebrate the special milestone despite social-distancing restrictions.
Alma has spent all her life in the Ellerslie and Lake Bolac area.
An Anzac Day baby, Alma was born in 1920 to parents Anna and Ernest Ruddle, and spent a happy childhood with siblings Florence, Lindsay and George.
Her schooling was at Ellerslie, where she gained her leaving certificate in the eighth grade.
There were no buses in those days, which meant the Ruddle children had to walk if they wanted or needed to go anywhere.
After completing her schooling, Alma took on work including house cleaning and babysitting district children.
She married her husband Clary Sloper on December 8, 1945, and moved to Lake Bolac, where they went on to have eight children, Ken, Ray, Phillip, Rosy, Ian, Linda, Rodney and Alan.
Alma now enjoys the company of her 20 grandchildren and great grandchildren.
“I loved my husband and children and spent as much time as
I could caring for them and being a mother,” Alma said.
Alma credits her long life to having good parents, never smoking or drinking and walking everywhere, because she didn’t have a driver’s licence.
Parkland House Hostel at Willaura welcomed Alma as a resident in August, 2017.
“I love living at Parkland House because I get looked after well,” she said.
“My washing is done for me, there is good food and very helpful staff.”
Alma’s 100th birthday celebration was a high tea, followed by a lunch party at Parkland House, with kitchen staff providing a spread of food and other healthcare staff helping with decorations and joining in the celebrations.
East Grampians Health Service chief executive Andrew Freeman congratulated Alma on reaching the major milestone and also Willaura staff who helped make Alma’s 100th birthday special.