Australia’s growing population of centenarians on adapting to change, secrets to a fulfilling life

Noel Crocker, Elgwen Herdegen and Henry “Corky” Caldwell don’t know each other, but they share two things in common: they are 100 years old and have dedicated their lives to their communities.

Perhaps this is their secret to living a long, fulfilling life? The trio are among the more than 6,000 people aged over 100 across the country, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

From the advent of the television, the atomic bomb to the internet and the smartphone, Noel Crocker is determined to keep up with the times and not get caught up in the “bloody old days”.

“The old days should be forgotten about because there was plenty of new opportunities to learn new ways.”