About the Centenarian
- What is your name?
- How old are you?
- When and where were you born?
Growing Up
- What is one of your earliest memories?
- Where did you grow up, and what was your childhood like?
- What were your parents like as people?
- Did you have brothers & sisters? Did you get on with them?
- What do you remember about your grandparents?
- What school did you go to? What do you remember most about it?
- How were your family, or people you knew, affected by the Great Depression?
Life & Work
- What do you remember about the Second World War? What were you doing at the time, and how did it affect you?
- If you were born outside Australia, when did you arrive? How did you travel here, and what were your first impressions?
- What was your main job or career? What did you enjoy about it, and what was difficult?
- What is the most special gift you have ever received? Why was it so meaningful to you?
- What are some of the biggest changes you’ve seen in your lifetime?
- Do you think the world is in a better place than when you were born?
- Is there anything you think Australia could be doing better today?
Love
- Tell us about your first kiss.
- Who was the great love of your life? How did you meet, and what made your relationship special?
- In your experience, what is the secret to a happy relationship?
Life Lessons
- What is your secret to a long life?
- How has your perspective on life changed as you’ve grown older?
- What has been the greatest obstacle or challenge you have faced in life?
- Have you faced or witnessed discrimination or racism?
- How do you think the role of women has changed during your lifetime?
- What gives you joy in life?
- What was the saddest or most difficult time in your life?
- Do you have any thoughts about mortality and death?
- Do you have any advice to pass on to young people?
- How would you like to be remembered?
Personality & Passions
- Did you ever follow or play for a sports team? What was the most exciting moment you remember?
- What is your favourite meal of all time?
- What are your thoughts about climate change?
- Have you met a famous person? Who were they and what happened?
- Do you have a favourite proverb, saying or religious expression? Why is it meaningful to you?
- What kind of music do you like? Do you have a favourite song? Would you like to sing a little of it?
- If you enjoy telling jokes, would you like to share one with us?
- Is there anything else that you would like to talk about?
Photos: If you have photographs or meaningful objects from the centenarian’s life, please ask them to hold them up one at a time and tell us about when and where they are from, what was happening, and how they felt.
Special Video: You can also film some clips of them doing things they enjoy, such as spending time with family and pets, gardening, cooking, walking, or listening to music. Handheld video is fine.