With not a lot of time on their side, three sprightly Aussie centenarians are still in hot pursuit of some big dreams. They may have all been late starters, but they are certainly strong finishers.
Welcome to one of the world's most exclusive clubs, where you don't have to be fabulously wealthy or connected to be on the membership list, you just have to be old... very, very old!
And membership is certainly booming of late: Centenarians represent the fastest growing demographic in Australia and the developed world. Most centenarians will insist that they're not terribly special but as The 100+ Club reveals, there's nothing at all ordinary about this group of Australians.
This half hour documentary not only takes a peek inside this unique club but also follows three of its remarkable members over what could well be one of the last years of their long lives.
There's Ruth who, despite the fact that she is practically blind and has no competitors in the entire athletics world, is on a mission to break her own world records (in the shot put, discus, javelin, hammer throw and weight events) at the 2010 Australian Masters Athletics Championships in Perth. She's training hard for them, three times a week, with her 72-year-old daughter and coach, Helen (who, herself, is a former Olympian). Day one of competition sees Ruth performing in the individual hammer and shot put events, but walking away with no new records. Day two, and Ruth's a no show on the field for the javelin and discus. The big flight over to Perth and previous day's efforts may have taken their toll: she's got cramps and has opted to spend the day resting up in her motel room. Doubts are now creeping in as to whether Ruth will even be able to finish the competition, let alone break another world record.
In her 103rd year, versatile performer Olive feels she has at least another stage play in her – two weeks before her 100th birthday, she came second in the Brisbane City Council's Senior Idol competition, plus last year, she directed and starred in a musical. And with the help of her trusty accompanist and best friend, 84-year-old Ken McDonald, everything seems to be on track for another crowd-pleasing performance. She's busy rallying the crew and learning lines when she falls sick and learns she has bowel cancer, with only days to live.
Two months after successful surgery, Olive is up and about again, though her energy levels aren't what they used to be ("but that's not unusual when you're old") and she sadly acknowledges the curtain has now closed on her stage career. But maybe not entirely ... she might just have another song in her.
Dexter may not be able to see the end of his pen but this doesn't seem to stop him from riding his motorbike around his grandson's outback property, and giving him a hand in the yards. The former cattleman is now writing his fifth book – his autobiography titled After 100 - but he frankly predicts it could be his last and that someone else may even have to write the final chapter ("When you're 100, you're not far off the grave, I'm quite well but things can happen quickly").
Dexter has penned his tomes with the help of his faithful friend, Bob – a 50-something teacher who has spent just about every Saturday night for the past six years, transcribing the centenarian's barely legible words into a computer file.
Dexter's autobiography is coming along nicely – they're half way through - when Bob breaks the sad news that he may be getting transferred down south. For Dexter, time is of the essence, in more ways than one.
An affectionate portrait of some extraordinary Australians, The 100+ Club also lightly tackles important issues around our ever-ageing population.
