Hills resident Bong Ho Yoo celebrated his 100th birthday with cake, warm wishes, and the company of members from his Korean social group at Balcombe Heights Estate recently.
Having lived for a century, Bong Ho’s life story is quite remarkable. Born in 1925, he moved from North Korea to South Korea during the Korean War when he was just 27 years old.
Three years later, he met his wife, and in 1973, they relocated to Darwin, where Bong Ho worked as a welder for John Holland at the Darwin Airport extension. A year later, the couple moved to Sydney, where Bong Ho continued his work as a welder until his retirement in 1993.
Bong Ho and late his wife have four children: two sons and two daughters, as well as four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. In his free time, he enjoys playing golf and listening to Korean music.
It’s well-known that longevity is often linked to being socially active and part of a community. Bong Ho is a regular attendee at the Korean Social Group, where he takes advantage of weekly opportunities to connect with others, engage in light exercise, and participate in Korean cultural activities.
Various social groups for seniors from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds are delivered by Hills Community Care at Balcombe Heights Estate in Baulkham Hills. To learn more, visit www. hillscommunitycare.com.au and click on the ‘Social Day Programs’ tab.
