For many who turn 100 the secret to reaching the milestone is often living a healthy life with the support of a long time partner, but not Canowndra resident Don Wilkin, “he loves a good rum.”
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The secret to Don Wilkin’s longevity is a simple couple of glasses of rum a day.
Family and friends gathered at the Canowindra Bowling Club on Thursday afternoon to celebrate his 100th birthday.
He’ll was presented with his letter from the Queen from Cabonne Council Deputy Mayor Kevin Walker, listened to some of his favourite songs and enjoyed a rum – something he does daily.
Each morning except Thursday Mr Wilkin enjoys a drink at the Canowindra Services Club before visiting the Canowindra Bowling Club later that afternoon for his second slurp.
On Thursday mornings he joins the bingo players at the Bowling Club.
“He loves a good rum. He has a rum every day before lunch time and an Old beer,” Don’s daughter Donna Mirto said.
He has a rum every day before lunch time and an Old beer.
- Donna Mirto
“Later in the afternoon he has one-and-a-half rums and an Old beer.”
Mr Wilkin was born in Wellington before spending time in Yeoval, Orange and Sydney.
His first job was on the telephone exchange before running a milk run between Wellington and Yeoval.
He did a couple of years as an apprentice mechanic before moving to Sydney.
From Sydney he eventually moved to Dunedoo then to Canowindra about 1955.
He’s always loved lawn bowls, music, horses and is a keen flyer having got his pilot’s licence in 1991 and held it until he was about 90.
Other than that, the family say he’s always loved a drink. And his drink of choice – rum.
Don has six children, 20 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandsons.
Three daughters, Janice, Libby and Donna, reside in Canowindra while Bonny lives in Nyngan, Robyn the South Coast and Paul in Sydney.
The family revealed further secrets of Don’s including using methylated spirits and sorbolene cream as an aftershave and WD40 on his sore joints.
“He’s got beautiful skin,” Donna said.
