Connections Archive

Dr Darren Morton
Senior lecturer, Faculty of Lifestyle Education and Visual Communication

Avondale College icon Charles Pointon celebrates his 98th birthday today (September 10). I lunched with the COSMOS general secretary and former student--Charles studied at Avondale as recently as 2006--and, as he satisfied his healthy appetite with salad, he shared the secrets to his long life.

I begin by asking, "So, how are you going, Charles?" He looks up with bright eyes and says with a smile, "I feel very much alive." I am impressed. How many people do you know respond to a simple question in such a positive and energetic way?

As our conversation progresses, I realise Charles has a keen mind. We talk about history--of which he has somewhat more experience than most--philosophy, world affairs, the future and, finally, my purpose for lunching with him. How does one come to be so alert and "very much alive" at 98?

1. STAY POSITIVE
I think positive attitude has helped keep me going for many, many years," says Charles. He uses the word, "fortunate," more than once. My impression is he sees the glass as half full. When I ask about plans for the future, I detect an air of excitement. "I am very much looking forward to the next decade," he says.

2: KEEP YOUR MIND ACTIVE
Charles does not have time to dwell on the negative. When I ask what he does with his time, Charles replies, "I like to keep an active mind." This involves much study. "I read books that edify me," he explains before concluding, "I've got no time for television."

3: EAT WELL
Charles has been a vegetarian for more than 70 years and he does not drink alcohol or smoke cigarettes.

4: KEEP PHYSICALLY ACTIVE
Charles walked up to 15 kilometres a day well into his 90s. Staff members and students raised money to buy him his electric scooter, not so much because he needed it, but because he made them feel guilty. Maintaining his high level of physical fitness has allowed Charles to embark upon many adventures. In 1996, at the age of 86, Charles backpacked around Europe and America. Three years later, he backpacked around Lord Howe and Fraser Islands.

5: LIVE PURPOSEFULLY
Charles invests time and energy into COSMOS, the student mission club he pioneered 30 years ago. He contributes in other ways, too. He is a founding member of the Youth Hostels Association. Being as youthful as he is, Charles would stay regularly in these hostels on his trips. He typifies the saying, "The purpose of life is a life of purpose."

The world is full of people who know what to do but do not do what they know. Charles is an exception. So many people practice health principles to achieve something--loose fat, gain muscle, increase fitness. But Charles has discovered and embraced the truth that living a healthy life justifies itself. It is not a means to an end--it is the end!

Credit: Ann Stafford