Staying mentally active is the secret to a long life, aviation legend Ron Walesby says.
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Family and friends came together on February 17 at Garden Village to celebrate Mr Walesby’s 100th birthday.
He will have three birthday parties including one staged by Rotarians.
Mr Walesby, who turns 100 on February 18, said his life had been interesting.
He has seen many changes over the years.
“There have been a lot of changes since the war, not all for the better,” he said.
“I think we’ve lived through the best 80 to 100 years, however.
“We’ve seen a lot of changes, a lot of developments.
“Children have gone from playing physical games to computerised games which I think is bad for the children.”
Mr Walesby said the world today was uncertain and there had been some deterioration of values.
The captain of the first East-West Airlines flight into Port Macquarie published his memoir Like Snow on the Desert in 2012.
Mr Walesby was born in the Sydney suburb of Gladesville, grew up in Sydney and went on to serve in the Royal Australian Air Force for five years during the war.
Mr Walesby flew protective convoy escort duties and carried out maritime surveillance during World War II before joining East-West Airlines as a pilot.
He devoted 20 years to airline flying and management and 16 years representing an airline manufacturer.
Mr Walesby shared his February 17 party with his wife of 74 years, Lois, and their family and friends.
There were speeches and a slideshow showcasing his life story.
The Walesbys have three children, Lorryl, Warwick and Jan, seven grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
Projects have kept Mr Walesby busy during his retirement.
Mr Walesby’s community involvement over the years has been wide ranging.
He was instrumental in the formation of the Rotary Lodge Committee which he chaired for the first seven years.
One of the lodge’s wings will be named in his honour during the March 20 opening of the latest extension.
“It is a wonderful building and a great facility,” Mr Walesby said about Rotary Lodge.
“It is filling a great need and that is what it was meant to do in the first place.”
Mr Walesby, who has been a member of six Rotary clubs across 62 years, said he was attracted to Rotary’s high ethical standards and its impact on world understanding.
Other community work included being committee chair for the renovation of Flagstaff Hill.
Mr Walesby believes it is important to remain active.
He encouraged people not to leave things for others to do.
“Once you start, I think you will find you have more help and things fall into place a bit,” he said.