Resilient and Joyful: 101-Year-Old Dora Wigg's Inspiring Outlook on Life

Despite having an amputated finger, 101-year-old Dora Wigg has never let it hinder her from embracing life. During her retirement, she took up table tennis and became an exceptional player. Although she no longer plays actively, she is currently enjoying her time at Uniting AgeWell Andrew Kerr Care Community.

Dora humorously attributes her adventurous nature to her star sign, saying, "Leo's are meant to be leaders, but I'll only lead you into trouble!"

For the past decade, Dora has been residing at the Mornington Peninsula aged care facility and finds great joy in her life there. She speaks highly of the exceptional staff and considers it the best place to be. Growing up on a farm in Neika, Tasmania, as one of six children, she vividly recalls the challenging journey to school, walking a mile and a half on rocky roads. While school provided opportunities to meet other children, farm life was often isolating and physically demanding.

Dora fondly remembers her persistent request to her father to teach her how to milk cows. After he finally relented, she regretted it when she had to perform the task every morning and night. Secretly, she would let the cat accompany her to the shed, turn the cow's teat, and spray the milk for the cat to drink. She chuckles, recalling how her father never found out, as he would have been displeased.

The impact of the Great Depression was severe, and Dora's father faced difficulties in selling his fruits and vegetables, eventually leading to the closure of their shop, along with many others in the area. The family relocated to Hobart and opened a new shop there.

Hobart held a special place in Dora's heart for two reasons: it was not a farm, and she had the opportunity to engage in ballroom dancing. Sadly, her engagement to a man ended tragically when he passed away during appendix surgery.

Following the loss, Dora moved to Melbourne to be with her sister and began working in a factory that manufactured rivets for fighter planes during the war. Fate would have it that she would marry the factory's boss, and they went on to have four sons. However, her life took a turn when she was involved in an industrial accident while making rivets, resulting in the amputation of her finger. She proudly displays her hand, referring to the scars as remnants of World War II.

Dora maintains a close relationship with her family and grandchildren and possesses an incredibly optimistic and cheerful outlook on life. She humorously remarks, "When you have four sons, you learn to go with the flow," reflecting her adaptability and resilience.

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