Mr Ross Longmire's Milestone Birthday

Happy 100th birthday to Mr Ross Longmire, who is supported to live independently at home by Resthaven Onkaparinga Community Services.  

Mr Longmire was born in Red Hill, South Australia, on 7 April, 1920. He attended Red Hill Primary School before moving to Semaphore and transferring to LeFevre.

His father died when he was about 15 years old, leaving his mum to look after the seven boys – Ross, and his six brothers: Leslie, Hedley, Roy, Claude, Arthur and Bob.

Mr Longmire married Elsie at the Semaphore Methodist Church in June 1942. The couple went on to have three daughters, and now have seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Throughout his life, Mr Longmire has worked in various jobs, including as a newsagent owner, doing paper rounds on a motorbike and side cart; on the railways as a coppersmith; and at a gas company as a coppersmith until he retired.

In his leisure time as a young man, he enjoyed supporting the Stage Dancing Society, as well as doing calisthenics and rhythmic gymnastics.

He still attends the gymnastics club twice a week, where the children and adults all adore him and call him "pop"

Mr Longmire has travelled extensively throughout Australia, to destinations including Perth, Robe, Northern Queensland, and Victoria. His favourite travel memory was caravanning in Robe.

He says that his most memorable life highlights were meeting his wife, Elsie, and the birth of his daughters, Karen, Robyn, and Julie.

When asked if he has a secret to health and longevity, he says that it is important to stay involved in the community, and not smoke.

He goes on to say that if he could impart some words of wisdom, he would say to "behave yourself, and pay attention to your elders."

Resthaven Onkaparinga Community Services Manager, Manule Harpas, says, "Mr Longmire is a lovely person, who appreciates all the support Resthaven provides and has shared many a great and interesting story with staff."

"Many happy returns, Mr Longmire!"

Resthaven community services support older people to live independently throughout metropolitan Adelaide, the Adelaide Hills, Murraylands, Riverland, Barossa, Fleurieu Peninsula and the Limestone Coast.

Resthaven residential aged care homes are located at Aberfoyle Park, Bellevue Heights, Craigmore, Leabrook, Malvern, Marion, Mitcham, Murray Bridge, Mount Gambier, Paradise, Port Elliot and Westbourne Park.