SIX White Gum Valley residents celebrated their 100th birthdays this week with a buoyant and colourful celebration at the Italian Village Fremantle. 

The piano accordion was playing, and song was plentiful as Denis Hickling, Celso Berlotti, Giovanni Pintaudi, Isobel Diaz, Richard Win, and ‘Mrs K’ celebrated their centenaries. 

All six have either  turned 100 or will celebrate their birthdays shortly. 

• MPs Simone McGurk and Josh Wilson came along for the mass birthday celebration – 600 years!

Resident Celso Berlotti, who turned 100 in September last year, says it feels “normal” and no less special to have achieved a century of life than any other day. 

“Altogether, it’s been a good day,” he said of the party. 

Mr Berlotti moved to Australia from Italy in 1951, and he and his wife had four children.

His secret to longevity? “My family,” he said with a smile. 

Balloons adorned the walls and there was food aplenty as residents and their families acknowledged their long and intricate lives, and the time passed since they were born.

A star-studded crowd attended the birthday party, including federal MP Josh Wilson, WA minister Simone McGurk, and Fremantle mayor Hannah Fitzhardinge among the lucky guests.

Italian Village CEO Fifi Schirripa says it is “extremely important” for the elderly community to celebrate significant milestones due to the mental health benefits which may be inhibited by old age. 

“Happiness is probably the second most important element in aged care, after the food,” Ms Schirripa said. 

“When people are contented, they normally don’t have any behavioural issues, and they’re happy in their environment.

“It is very hard to bring the people to the outside world, so we’ve brought the outside world to them.”

by KATHERINE KRAAYVANGER