Nicole Bunbury - 100 years

Nicole speaks with a calm sincerity that reflects a century of learning and self understanding. At 100 years of age, and recently honoured at the My Guardian Centenarians Lunch, she looks back on her childhood schooling and life experiences with a sense of gratitude and clarity.

Nicole went to school in Versary and remembers loving her time there. Her parents were divorced so she spent holidays with her father and the rest of the year with her mother. She also attended a boarding school which became an important part of her upbringing and shaped her independence.

When asked what guidance she would offer to younger generations, Nicole gives thoughtful and honest advice. She says be very realistic and do not dream too much because if you do it is like a slap in the face. Her message is not to discourage ambition but to encourage balance grounded expectations and an understanding of life’s unpredictability.

Nicole reflects on her life with a quiet sense of happiness. She says she has had a happy life and her calm acceptance and appreciation speak to a resilience shaped over one hundred years.

Her memories do not focus on grand milestones but on the feeling of having lived well and with honesty.

Nicole’s life is a beautiful reflection of realism resilience and quiet joy. We are honoured to share her story and celebrate her remarkable one hundred years.

On 23 October 2025, Nicole joined remarkable Australians aged 100 and over at the My Guardian Centenarians Lunch at NSW Parliament House. The gathering earned a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title for the largest gathering of centenarians and celebrated more than fifteen thousand combined years of lived experience.

The celebration also aligned with the national transition to the Support at Home program which will help older Australians access personalised care and greater independence. It highlighted the continuing importance of Home Care Packages for those who wish to live safely and comfortably in their own homes.

Nicole’s story reflects the importance of meaningful care understanding and companionship as people age. Many older Australians benefit from Home Care Packages or the new Support at Home program which offer personalised support to help them continue living well. Some residents also receive additional help from organisations such as My Guardian a trusted aged care and disability provider that helps older Australians maintain independence with tailored in home care.

These supports together with family love and community connection ensure that remarkable people like Nicole continue enjoying the memories and moments that matter most.

In the spirit of Australia Day, we acknowledge the people whose lives quietly shaped our country. Her journey reminds us that Australia’s identity is built not only through milestones, but through lived experience, love and resilience across generations.