ON his 101st birthday, Len Spence celebrated with a hit of tennis down at the Old Aerodrome Ovals.
Mr Spence first began playing tennis as a 10-year-old in Nangiloc where he grew up on a nearby farm.
More than 90 years later, his passion has shown no sign of diminishing with two regular sessions played every week alongside some of his long-term friends and family.
“I’ve been involved in it all my life,” Mr Spence said.
Many years ago, Mr Spence raised $10000 from recycled cans to have the courts resurfaced, something he wanted to do to encourage youth participation.
In 2002, one of the courts was named after him and his late wife Melva to commemorate the work they had done.
His daughters Deanne Spence and Helen were both out to celebrate the milestone with their father.
“He was president of region 14 for 20 years so that’s why dad was encouraging juniors all over Victoria, supporting them and getting them in training,” Mrs Spence said.
When asked the clichéd question about the secret to his longevity, Mr Spence seemed to think that he’d inherited it.
“My mum lived to 104 and her mother made it 100 as well,” he said.
However his other daughter Hellen Tiller seemed to think his ability to stay physically and socially active had been just as important.
“He worked on a farm for so long, he did ballroom dancing for a very long time, he’s not a boozer although he does enjoy the occasional whiskey,” she said.
