Working “as little as possible” since relocating to Australia as a retiree could be the key to Franciska Lobojko reaching the age of 103 years.
Daughter Lili Culjkovic said the Multicultural Aged Care resident celebrated her 103rd birthday last Friday in the comfort of the residence she calls “a very nice hotel”.
“I brought her flowers and the doughnuts with smilies that she loves then I said ‘We’re going out for lunch’ and she said ‘No way, today’s fish day and I love my fish’.”
Ms Culjkovic said her mother was capable of walking alone and in “excellent health” despite the occasional forgetful moment.
Mrs Lobojko had a “very healthy and happy childhood” in Bosnia-Herzegovina as one of 11 children.
She later moved to Croatia, worked as a seamstress, married and raised Lili, her only child.
At 60 she was divorced from Ms Culjkovic’s father and looking for something new.
“She decided to go to Australia to visit her brother and met his best friend, got married to him and never came back to Croatia,” Ms Culjkovic said.
Mrs Lobojko has now lived in Geelong for 43 years despite speaking “very little” English.
“She loves it here and always says ‘This is a wonderful country’,” Ms Culjkovic said.
Her mother loved flora and fauna, gardening, cooking, reading the newspaper and listening to the radio.
“Probably the only way to become 103 is to just enjoy yourself and don’t work too much!” Ms Culjkovic said.
