A Kingswood local has reached an exciting milestone, celebrating her 100th birthday.
Kostka Newham has lived in her house in Kingswood for over seven decades and last week officially turned 100.
Newham said that on her birthday she celebrated with her family.
“On my birthday they all came and all my grandchildren and great grandchildren,” Newham said.
“I have three children, 11 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren!”
Newham was excited to reach such a rare milestone in her life.
“Yes, it was exciting,” Newham said.
“I was happy to get there!”
Originally born in Spencer, Newham moved to Penrith in 1942 where she got a job as a telephonist during the war.
“I’ve been in Penrith most of my life,” Newham said.
“I love living in Penrith. I love everything about it. It keeps getting better.”
It was in Penrith Newham met her husband.
“I met him a couple of days after I came here but I never started going out with him, but I thought he was very good looking. He had beautiful wavy hair,” Newham said.
“I didn’t start going out with him for a good while, he was more interested in motorbikes. We got married in 1952 in Penrith at Saint Nicholas.”
Since then, Newham’s husband has passed away, but she remembers him fondly.
“I’ve had a good life,” Newham said.
“I married a good man, unfortunately he died 15 years ago. I’ve outlived him a good while!”
Looking back on her life Newham said she remembers the births of her children the best.
“The birth of my children were the greatest things,” Newham said.
“Billy is my eldest and then I’ve got Joe and Maureen. Three of them. I’ve given them all simple names!”
Newham said she is proud to have raised her family in Penrith.
“I’ve been here 72 years, since 1952,” Newham said.
“All my children were born here, every one of them.
“All my grandchildren all born here. We are real Penrith people.”
As for her secret to living a long life?
“I’ve had a good doctor, the same doctor for about 25 years!” Newham said.
“Doctor Wong at the Tindale Medical [Hub]. He keeps me alive!
“And my son’s wife she does all my cooking, and she keeps me alive.”
Emily Chate
Emily Chate joined The Western Weekender in 2024, and covers local news - primarily courts and politics. A graduate of the University of Wollongong, Emily has contributed to The Daily Telegraph and worked as a freelance journalist.