A heartwarming celebration of longevity and community spirit has made history in Sydney, as the My Guardian Centenarians’ Lunch brought together an unprecedented 150 Australians aged 100 and above, setting a new national record for the largest gathering of centenarians.

Hosted by My Guardian, an Australian home-care and elder-support organisation, the event was held at the Darling Harbour Convention Centre, transforming the venue into a vibrant celebration of life, stories, and resilience.

The centenarians—ranging from ages 100 to an astounding 109—arrived with their families, carers, and decades of memories. Many shared stories of wartime survival, immigration journeys, old Australian traditions, and lessons learned across generations.

Event organizer Anna Petrovski said the initiative was created to honour elders who helped shape modern Australia.
“Our centenarians are living history,” she said. “Bringing them together isn’t just a celebration—it’s a tribute to everything they’ve given this country.”

The gathering featured live music from the 1940s and 1950s, a heritage recipe lunch menu inspired by vintage Australian cooking, and a “memory lane” exhibition showcasing photographs submitted by the attendees’ families.

One of the participants, 104-year-old Margaret Lewis from Melbourne, described the event as “the most joyful reunion of strangers who somehow felt like old friends.”

The milestone gathering has been submitted for record confirmation and is expected to be recognized as Australia’s largest centenarian luncheon to date.

For My Guardian, the event marks a renewed commitment to celebrating elder communities and promoting healthy aging.
“It’s not just about the number 100,” Petrovski added. “It’s about connection, dignity, and honouring a lifetime of resilience.”

The Centenarians’ Lunch is now set to become an annual event, promising even bigger celebrations in the years to come.