Jean Carter has had enough experiences to fit in three centuries. Photo: Oliver Jacques.
Jean Carter has had a tough life filled with struggle and enterprise. After growing up in Melbourne during the Great Depression and World War II, she married journeyman Bert and followed him on adventures across rural NSW and Victoria.
She drove tractors, milked cows, cleared mallee scrub, grew wheat, dug for opals and raised four boys. At 98, she continues to knit bags for women’s refuges and lives independently at the Griffith Retirement Estate.
Region caught up with her as part of our ‘life lessons’ series to find out what she can teach us about longevity, marriage, change and hard work.
What’s the secret to your longevity?
I’ve never smoked. I’ve never drank. I’ve never gone out with wild women. But I’ve never stopped working.
I’ve always eaten well but I never overeat. You should always get up from the dinner table when you feel you could eat a bit more.
A life achievement that makes you proud?
I had a responsibility in my life to rear four sons and turn them into good citizens. I think I succeeded. I also have seven grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and three-and-a-bit great-great-grandchildren.
Jean’s sons Mark, Ian, Neil and Colin growing up on the river in rural Victoria. Photo: Supplied.
An experience that sums up your life?
We moved to Weethalle in 1963 and cleared 100 acres of mallee scrub to grow wheat. As soon as we did, the drought started, so we didn’t earn any money. When it finally rained, I saw it rain on the neighbour’s property but it didn’t reach our fence. That’s how our luck went throughout my life.
A key life lesson you’ve learnt?
You can’t judge anyone unless you know their circumstances.
Your first job?
When I was 14, I went to work doing bookkeeping in a butcher’s shop in Melbourne. It was during World War II. I had to pay my mum a third of my wages for board from that time. You got nothing for free in those days. My parents never bought me anything.
How did you meet your husband?
I went to Strathmerton on the river for a holiday with my family, where I met him. We were married for 49 years until he passed away in 2003.
Married life in your era?
My husband never dried a dish in his entire life. I’d be peeling spuds while he’d be on the floor playing with our boys. He was a wonderful father and loved his children.
Bert never worried about money. He’d buy what he wanted and let his wife worry.
What makes a successful marriage?
Knowing that it’s not half and half. Go further than half. You have to compromise. No marriage can survive if you don’t help each other over the hurdles.
A period you look back on with fondness?
I started singing during my teenage years. I was a soprano and did a lot of musical plays. I was also part of an entertainment group that went around to all the institutions in Melbourne to give them free concerts. Much later I would sing to the trees.
Jean in a musical play. Photo: Supplied.
Something that’s changed over your lifetime?
Men. They were so courteous when I was growing up. They would raise their hat to women who walked past and they’d never let a lady walk alone at night. That’s not the case today. Women wanted their rights and men have lost respect for them.
How do you cope with modern technology?
I don’t know it. I live in a different world. I’ve never used a mobile or a computer. I’ve tried to learn, but every time I do they change or upgrade technology, so I have to start learning again. I gave up.
How have you spent your retirement?
When my husband retired, he decided we were going to White Cliffs to dig for opals. We lived in the dugout and dug around in the dirt. It’s not how you’d expect to spend your retirement. It was damn hard work. My husband would use the jackhammer and I would shovel all the rock into the wheelbarrow.
We then moved to Griffith to be close to our children and after he passed away, I moved to the retirement estate. I was the first resident in the apartments 10 years ago. Everyone else who was here in my first year has moved on to another place. I keep very active; I do lots of knitting.
Working on a mine shaft. Photo: Supplied.
How will you celebrate your 100th birthday?
My cousin said he wants to give me a kiss, because he’s never kissed a 100-year-old woman.
I never believed anyone could live beyond 70. Everyone died in their 60s in my era.
I had a back operation when I was 85 as my body was so worn out. I was supposed to be in a wheelchair then but I’m not, I’m still walking.
I felt I was put on this earth for a reason and I had to see it through. But I still haven’t figured out the reason.
If you know an elderly Riverina resident whose wisdom could teach us a thing or two, call Oliver on 0498 843 181 or email: [email protected].
