Raceview centenarian Jean Bell isn’t exactly sure what the secret to a long life is, but she reckons lawn bowls might have something to do with it.
Mrs Bell still bowls competitively three times a week and travels around Queensland to participate in carnivals.
Mrs Bell, who lives independently at the Carinity Elim Estate retirement community, has played lawn bowls since 1972 and served as president of both the Booval and Ipswich Bowls Clubs.
“I like living in Ipswich, there are lots of nice people and everyone seems to get on well together,” Mrs Bell said.
“This will do me until I die.”
Working hard, maintaining a healthy diet and an active lifestyle, and always keeping busy is Mrs Bell’s secret to a long life.
“I like being active,” she said.
“As the old saying goes, you either use it or lose it.”
Turning 100 recently was just another day for Mrs Bell who is the third centenarian in her family with two of her sisters also reaching 100 years.
Born Daphney Jean Bell at Harrisville in 1919, she was the youngest of nine siblings growing up on a farm at Mutdapilly.
After leaving school at the age of 13, she went to live with her sister Maud to help with her children and then moved to Ipswich at 16 to work as a housekeeper/cook at a solicitor’s home.
As a young teenager she attended dances at St Mark’s Hall at One Mile where she met her future husband George, who she married in 1938.
“Getting married was the best and we had 66 years of good family life and the kids are all good,” Mrs Bell said.
Mrs Bell is the proud matriarch of six children, 20 grandchildren, 51 great grandchildren and six great-great grandchildren.
Mrs Bell recalls a bonus of her husband running a grocery shop in Ipswich was the delivery truck being able to transport 17 children to swimming club.
Gifted at sewing and craft work, Mrs Bell made wedding dresses for her daughters.
“I’ve had a great personal life and I’ve had a great bowling life,” Mrs Bell said.
“You can’t ask for anything more.”
