Great granny pumps iron at 99

By Lia Bichel
The Viewhills Manor resident celebrated her birthday yesterday (Wednesday) with close friends and family at one her favourite places – the gym.
Ms Bishop works out once a week doing a range of weights, pedalling on the exercise bike and working on her co-ordination and balance.
She is the oldest resident at the Endeavour Hills aged care facility and has become an inspiration to other residents and staff, lifestyle co-ordinator Cheryl Hallam said.
“She really is an absolute inspiration,” Ms Hallam said.
“She is at the gym every Wednesday morning for the program. She is very bubbly, comes to all the activities and is the first person every morning ready to do the morning quiz we have. She also plays bingo. All these activities are great for her cognitive skills.”
Ms Hallam said keeping the mind and body active were important in living a healthy life.
“It is such a great program for their physical abilities and social needs,” Ms Hallam said.
“Everyone really enjoys it and looks forward to it.”
The gentle gym program began in 2008, and since then, the amount of participants has nearly doubled to 28.
Ms Bishop is the oldest participant at age 99, and the rest range from age 70 onwards.
They begin their work-outs with warm-ups such as playing tennis of golf. They then proceed with their gym programs which are tailored to them by the Viewhills Manors in-house physiotherapist.
“Each person has their own program and I help run it,” Ms Hallam said.
“Everyone really enjoys it and looks forward to it. We have received a lot of positive feedback from our residents and their families.”
Ms Hallam said Ms Bishop’s family had been very supportive of the program.
Ms Bishop married her late husband Robert when she was 18, and they had four children Mary, Dorothy, Margaret and George.
“The family love the way she gets around and are very supportive of her and everything we do,” Ms Hallam said.