My Guardian Centenarians' Lunch breaks record by gathering 150 of Australia’s elders

In a celebration of life and legacy, 150 of Australia’s elders aged 100 and over came together for the largest gathering of centenarians.

The group, with a combined age of over 15,000 years, more than doubled the previous record of 70 held by Italy’s Fondazione Opera Immacolata Concezione Onlus.

Their special lunch at NSW Parliament House, took place on Grandparents’ Day and was organized by Australia's leading aged and disability care provider - My Guardian. 

My Guardian offers personal care, nursing care, and home care support to Australia's oldest residents.

The record attempt took a year of careful planning with help from staff, volunteers, families, and partners.

It was important to My Guardian, as an aged care provider that deeply cares for older Australians by providing support at home, to honour the unique needs of centenarians.

This event was created to celebrate their achievements and remarkable life stories, giving their voices and journeys a space to shine.  

Every little detail was considered down to the planning, invitations and making sure every participant felt comfortable and celebrated.

My Guardian reached out to facilities and wider community groups to invite centenarians to join them for this meaningful gathering.

Each participant’s age was verified through official identification and documents, with the oldest participant being 109 years old.

Read all about the incredible things that make us unique in our Human Body section!

One participant, 102-year-old Esther Stevns, reminisced about her life, including her big move to Australia from Denmark.

She came to Australia at the tender age of 20 and was married for 33 years to her Danish husband.

When asked for advice on how to reach this incredible age, one centenarian shared: “Whatever you do, give it your best effort.” 

For My Guardian, this was never just an event but a heartfelt recognition of a lifetime of experiences. If their journey has inspired you, follow My Guardian on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn to see more uplifting moments and event highlights.

The joy and memories of the day will be cherished for a lifetime, both by the care group and the centenarians.