Farrer resident celebrates 100th birthday

Nancy McLean got one from cricketing legend Ricky Ponting, congratulating her on achieving a century of her own.

“I’ve always been a big fan with the cricket,” the centenarian said.

The Farrer resident, who celebrated the milestone last Thursday, received the letter from the cricketing great after a chance meeting in India with a family member.

“A family member was overseas in India as part of trade delegation and Ricky Ponting was there,” Mrs McLean’s daughter Isobel Firth said.

“He signed it saying ‘good innings.’” It was not the only birthday blessing the centenarian received – the whole Australian cricket team sent a congratulations.

The Scottish-born Mrs McLean marked the occasion with a party at the Goodwin retirement village as well as one with family at the Mawson Club.

The celebrations weren't without a taste of home, however. “We also had a pipe band as well,” Mrs McLean said.

After being born in Scotland in the middle of World War I, Mrs McLean moved to Australia in 1951, settling with her family in Goulburn.

“We moved to Goulburn because it was going to benefit our family and it was going to be a better place for my daughters,” she said.

“It was lucky that we were only came [to Australia] because we couldn’t have come out here otherwise and we’ve never regretted it.”

Mrs McLean’s family includes two daughters, four grandchildren as well as three great-grandchildren.

She also helped to play a special role in looking after her grandchildren while their parents were working, Mrs Firth said.

“Mum looked after all the grandchildren and she’s always been really family oriented,” she said.

While she may have notched up triple figures, Mrs McLean said she wasn’t feeling any different.

“I’m feeling pretty good, I’m amazed I’m keeping so well at this age,” she said.

“It’s not any different really.”

As for the secret to a long life?

“Porridge every morning for breakfast and the Scottish genes,” she said.