Community
3 March, 2026
‘Just luck’ to turn 100
STAYING social, maintaining connections and a ‘bit of good luck” has ensured Air Force veteran John Johnston has stayed the distance for 100 years.
Celebrating his centenary on Monday among friends and family at the Centrecare FNQ Social Wellbeing Club at Holloways Beach, Mr Johnston raised a glass of bubbles, chatted to friends and dined well, finishing it all up with a fantastic cake to mark the occasion.
The great-grandfather was born in Gordonvale in February 1926 and one of six children.
Speaking during the celebration, daughter Annette Tipo said he had left home and joined the army at 20, serving for two years before embarking on a 22-year career in the Royal Australian Air Force in aircraft maintenance, including deployment to Korea.
“He loved growing up in Gordonvale, loved his family and still sees everyone,” she said.
Mr Johnston met his wife June, the sister of the bride at his brother’s wedding, and they married two years later.
“So, our families were pretty close,” Ms Tipo said. “There were lots of family get-togethers.”
The couple raised three children together and today his family includes 10 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
Ms Tipo said her father now lived with one of his sons, having lost his wife in 1988 and remained quite independent.
She takes him to the Holloways club every Monday, where he has lunch, mixes with friends and then enjoys a drive along the beach esplanade before being heading home.
Speaking among the large gathering on Monday, Mr Johnston said it was “just luck” to have reached his 100th and he had no secrets to long life but to “just stay busy”.
He was particularly chuffed to receive a letter from King Charles III, which was proudly shown around during the celebration.
He also received letters of congratulations from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Governor-General Sam Mostyn and Queensland Premier David Crisafulli.
Centacare FNQ mental health and wellbeing general manager Nathan Lee said the Holloways Beach hub was the only federally-funded centre in the area and he hoped to see another one for the south side of Cairns in the future.
He said it played a vital part in supporting older Australians like John, and anyone aged 65 and over, to remain socially connected and engaged .The Holloways service provides social outings, day respite, overnight weekend respite, and specialised dementia respite services.
