WALLY Ashenden is known for his love of a good yarn, a cold beer and a laugh.
And he had plenty of stories to tell and jokes to share over a cold one when joined by family and friends at Whiddon residential aged care facility on Wednesday to celebrate his 101st birthday.
Wally, known universally as ‘Tater’, has been a resident at Whiddon in Moree for three years.
He’s stored quite a few good yarns about work, life and weekends working for the Picone bookmaking family at race meetings across New South Wales and Queensland.
When asked the secret to his longevity, Wal paused for a few seconds and pondered the question.
“I’m not sure . . . but I’ve never been married,” he winked.
“Having good mates and family around is the main reason, I think, and being well looked after.”
Wal loves relaxing outdoors, especially at this time of year under late winter-early spring sunshine.
Family and friends, and Whiddon staff joined him on Wednesday – a perfect spring day – to blow out the candles.
“I have my good and bad days, but I’m good today – not bad for 101,” he smiled.
Wal was born in 1924. Stanley Bruce was Australian Prime Minister, Balmain beat South Sydney in the New South Wales rugby league grand-final, voting in federal elections became compulsory, and Australia won six medals at the Paris Olympic Games.
Locally, on Wal’s birth date that year, Moree Parents’ and Citizens’ Association began supplying half a pint of milk each day to all Moree schoolchildren and new train schedules from Moree to Mungindi, Inverell and Sydney were announced.
Wal said the 1960s was his favourite decade, and enjoyed travelling the countryside with work in a railway caravan, with brushes, putty knives and dropsheets at the ready.
When asked what advice he would give his 20-year-old self, Wal said he wouldn’t change a thing.
“I’m happy with the life I’ve lived,” he said.
Wal keeps active in his own way, wheeling himself around in his chair and always up for a chat to keep his mind sharp.
Wal cared for his father, Jim, for many years, and said the close father-son connection is one of the secrets to his long and happy life.
Wal’s niece, Judy Morck, said friendships and healthy living have helped her uncle reach the significant marker.
“I think it’s healthy living and keeping his mind active – and bossing people around all the time, because he’s always the boss,” she laughed.
“Uncle Wal has had wonderful friends throughout life and they’ve helped him a lot. His father, Jim Ashenden – my grandfather – lived until he was in his 90s.
“Jim and Wally were very close, and were always at the races,” she said.
Wal worked as a painter on the railway for 27 years. After retirement, he stayed active in his local community and worked weekends at race meetings across the countryside.
He ‘did the bag’ for decades with the Picone family, and was the main point of contact for cash transactions with punters on race-days.
Moree bookmaker Chris Picone said Wal loved his racing, and was one of the most popular figures at the track, especially Inverell.
“Wal worked for the family for many, many years, with my uncle Bruce, father John and grandfather Jack,” Mr Picone said.
“When I got my bookmaking licence, Wal came and worked for me. He did a wonderful job, mainly on the bag. He’s an absolutely wonderful man and was loved by everyone on the racecourse.
“Wal is originally from the Bundarra area and has a strong connection with Inverell, especially the races there,” he said.
