“I am so lucky to have had the life I have lived.”
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For Ron Bartholomew turning 100 was just like any other day, but surrounded by close family and friends on May 1, he celebrated his birthday at his favourite restaurant in Bonny Hills.
“I was born on May 1, 1918 and I have certainly seen somethings in my time,” Ron said.
“I was born at the end of the Great War and lived through the next war but I have been lucky to travel the world and experience some wonderful things.
“After we retired, my wife and I went through Europe and the United Kingdom to visit family and one of the highlights was going into Russia.”
Ron said one of his passions is being in the great outdoors and is something he still does at every opportunity.
“I love being out in the garden, I love order and neatness and it is relaxing to be out in nature clearing and tending to the trees and the shrubs.
“For my birthday, the family even gave me a scooter to get around the farm to keep enjoying the outdoors.”
Growing up in Sydney, Ron worked in an office before making the transition to being an accountant, a job he said he enjoyed.
“I am very blessed to have lived the life I have; I was briefly in the army before working as an accountant to support my family,” he said.
“My wife and I have three boys and now I have lots of grandchildren and great grandchildren who I love to see.”
Ron said the key to a good and happy life is to put others before yourself.
“The motto that I live by is, God first, others second and self last, because I think it is important to think about others before you think about yourself.”
Son, Bryan Bartholomew, said that his dad is a quite, humble man who would go above and beyond to help anyone.
“Growing up we always had people in our home because mum and dad were always so welcoming and dad always was a quiet achiever, ready to congratulate and celebrate others before himself,” Bryan said.
“He has so much love for people and would do anything for anyone.”
As well as a party on his birthday, Ron is having a belated celebration on Saturday, May 12 where family from interstate will be coming to town and joining more than 130 people to acknowledge the milestone achievement.
