Posing a tribute to the life and times of Catherina van der Linden, who has died at 111, one is surely perplexed by her persisting physical and intellectual agility when so many others have not been so lucky. (Tributes as Australia’s oldest person dies aged 111, 4/2). Interviewed on TV on her last birthday when visited by SA Premier Peter Malinauskas, a beaming smile, quick wit and a bewildering claim to be still bike-riding left her visitor (and the rest of us) speechless. No doubt, her service to others as a nurse and Meals on Wheels contributor might have been good for her soul but no one should expect to ever find a prescription for longevity. With so many things out there that can kill us, regardless of what we do or eat, I’m resigned to believing it’s all down to luck. With her body donated to science, I await with interests the prospects of being proven wrong. Thank you Catherina for lifting our spirits and inspiring us with the overwhelming evidence that old age can be so actively and cleverly lived. RIP to a beautiful soul. Alan Sexton, North Parramatta 11Feb2024.