A last-minute decision by a young couple to cancel their tickets on the Titanic changed the course of Nancy Allen's family history.
Nancy's parents, Percy and Maud Surridge had originally booked to travel to America on the Titanic in 1912.
But at the last minute they changed their mind because Percy's brother, Jack who was travelling with them had asthma and the doctor recommended they should travel to a warmer climate.
"So they decided to travel to Australia instead, thank goodness," said Nancy who turns 101 today.
That fateful decision means that five generations of her family will gather to celebrate her birthday.
Nancy was born in Paddington in 1919 and grew up in Balmain, the only child of Percy and Maud.
She went to Birchgrove Primary School and learned to swim at the Balmain baths, now called the Dawn Fraser pool.
She met her husband, Jim Allen during World War II and they married at Birchgrove.
Jim served in the Australian Air Force in New Guinea, Borneo, and the Pacific Islands returning home to Australia three months after he and Nancy's only daughter, Carolyn was born.
After the war they moved to Mudgee where they bought a sheep farm. But Nancy missed city life and they eventually moved back to Sydney, settling in Maroubra before moving to Brighton-le-Sands and then Ramsgate Beach.
Jim died in 1985 and Nancy joined the Rockdale War Widows Guild Club making her the oldest and longest-serving member.
She volunteered with War Widows for many years, fund-raising and serving as treasurer for eight years.
In 1985 she became a foundation member of the Ramsgate-Sans Souci Garden Club and was secretary of minutes for a number of years.
The Garden Club became part of the Ramsgate Senior Citiens Centre in 1988 where she is also a Lifetime member.
"Mum has always been a very active and positive lady," her daugher, Carolyn said.
"She has always had a love of travel with many overseas trips in different parts of the world and in recent years holidaying in North Queensland and cruising around Australia and the South Pacific."
Nancy celebrated her birthday recently with a party at the Ramsgate Senior Citizens Centre attended by Bayside mayor Joe Awada, deputy mayor James Macdonald and Rockdale MP Steve Kamper.
Nancy still lives independently and does her own cooking, shopping and vacuuming. She goes to War Widows and still takes pride in her garden.
She goes out for dinner twice a week with Carolyn to the local club and enjoys a glass of wine.
Nancy said keeping busy and volunteering was the secret to a long life.
"The key is to keep busy, planning what you are going to do next and stay positive," she said.
She is planning a family get-together with Carolyn, and her two grand-daughters, five great-grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren, none of whom would be here if Nancy's parents had stuck to their original plan to travel on the Titanic.
The 2020 Bayside Seniors Festival starts today.
This year's theme is Bayside Seniors Festival: Love to Celebrate and the is a range of free events around Bayside to keep brain thinking and your body active.
"The Bayside Seniors Festival provides a variety of free events for our seniors with something for everyone. Bring your friends or take the opportunity to make new friends," Bayside Mayor Joe Awada said.
The Bayside Seniors Festival runs from Monday 24 February - Friday 20 March and includes a matinee musical, senior centre open days, and a coach trip.
Over 25 events with a health, recreation and technology focus will take place during the Festival.
Festival events are open to all seniors. Bookings are required for some events, while for others you can simply drop in.
Some things to watch out for include:
. Author talks
. Technology classes,
. COTA's Age Care Navigator and My Age Care help
. DIY with the Fix it Sisters
. A Sixties Sing Along
. Meet the TOFS
. Aquatic Centre Senior Specials.
The Rockdale Musical Society's Singing in the Rain and the trip Vaucluse House are by ballot and restricted to Bayside Council residents only.
Older People, Pain, Pharmaceuticals and Other Options: This forum, held at the Alf Kay Eastlakes Community Centre, looks at non-pharmacological alternatives like exercise, mindfulness meditation and other forms of therapy.
Speakers include Professor Brain Draper on mood and medication; and Psychologist and Prince of Wales Pain Clinic Coordinator Tony Hollins on pain and non-pharmacological alternatives.
The full program including the ballot form is available from Council's Customer Service Centres, Libraries and website: www.bayside.nsw.gov.au
