There was champagne, a chocolate and raspberry cake, and almost ten decades of experience to celebrate. No wonder the smiles were bright as friends and family gathered to wish local Geelong legend Robert Bruce Howard a happy 100th birthday. 

Staff at Uniting AgeWell Kalkee Community Nangatta pulled out all the stops, with a special poster for “Bruce,” balloons and a smorgasbord of sweet and savoury treats.   

Obviously putting 100 candles on a cake was a bit of a fire risk, so just one did the trick! 

The living room was festooned with a giant ‘100’ balloon sign, streamers and a banner of his beloved Geelong Football Club draped over the piano.   

Swept up in the festive atmosphere, some residents started chanting “We want Bruce! We want Bruce!” before the man of the hour appeared. 

Bruce, dressed to the nines in a smart suit, was glowing with happiness.  Shortly before the party he admitted: “I never thought I’d get to 100!  My word, it’s a pretty big number!”  

Bruce drank a glass of champagne, as his son, Chris Howard, paid homage to the man Geelong affectionately referred to as ‘Mr Salt’ after a lifetime of working at Cheetham Salt. 

Bruce lives with dementia, but delivered a rousing speech saying, “Not everyone grows to 100 – but I’ve just made it,” to cheers. 

Staff gifted a comfy pair of pyjamas to the man they describe as a colourful character full of fun and life.  He also received cards from King Charles and Queen Camilla, Governor General of Australia Sam Mostyn and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. 

Bruce was born in 1926 – the same year as the Highton Tornado tore through the Geelong area and the Barwon Bridge opened.    

Keeping abreast of the news is something Bruce has always done.  He’s read the print edition of the Geelong Advertiser cover-to-cover every morning for as far back as he can remember. Exciting then, they came to the party to snap a few pics. 

Bruce, a former industrial chemist and an expert in the process of sea salt harvesting advised widely on salt production including travelling to New Guinea and the West Indies.  

He helped build the second Belmont Scout Hall in James Street that his three sons attended.   

He was also very involved in the Wesley Methodist Church where he taught in the Sunday School and sang in the church choir. 

The die-hard Cats supporter played football for Geelong West when he was younger and tried his hand at cricket. Bruce and his late wife, Barbara, a nurse, took up hobby farming later on in life and moved to a lifestyle block in Curlewis.   

Bruce, who now lives with dementia, moved to Kalkee Nangatta at the age of 95 when his needs increased.  He is an enthusiastic member of the community.  

He loves the cooking classes, gentle exercise sessions and bus trip outings to visit much-loved places in the greater Geelong area.  He’s even part of the Nangatta Nollywood Theatre group and taking part in the recent production of ‘Little Red Riding Hood.’ 

“I’m very happy here at Nangatta, everyone is very good to me. The staff are very kind and caring, and they look after me very well,” says Bruce. 

After 100 years of a life well lived, he is still grateful.  “Just being alive makes me happy.”