By all accounts centenarian Jeff is a true gentleman

Jeff Uphill is a beloved resident at Onkaparinga Lodge Residential Care and counts himself among the growing group of celebrated centenarians in the Southern Cross Care Community. 

Jeff was born in Salisbury, England, in 1923 - the middle child of three and the only boy. 

As a teenager he was an apprentice fitter and turner at a local garage, where he worked until enlisting with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers in WWII to serve in India, Malaysia and Burma. 

After the war, Jeff worked at the docks at Southampton and on a yacht owned by a Lord Astor, putting his apprenticeship to good use. 

Eventually, the love of Jeff’s life came into the picture when he met Phyllis at a dance, a few years after the war. After a few months of courting, Jeff and Phyllis married at a local church. 

Phyllis had been married before and had kids of her own, but Jeff’s stepchildren said he made her so happy and showed her a kind and gentle love that she had not experienced before. 

Jeff also loved his stepchildren as his own but he and Phyllis did have one son together. 

When the ‘Ten Pound Pom’ scheme began to attract migrants from England to Australia, Jeff decided it was time for a new adventure, moving across the world with Phyllis and their son. 

He saw a job advertised working on the railways and in 1969 the family emigrated on the Southern Cross cruiseliner - travelling through Panama before stopping in Melbourne and then moving to Port Augusta. 

South Australia was a shock for the family, who had always lived in England. Port Augusta was a very different place; hot, dry, sparse and so many flies! 

Initially his wife and son wanted to move back to England and couldn’t believe Jeff had made them move across the world for such a place. 

But Jeff’s granddaughter said now the family is grateful for the opportunities that Australia has provided, the beautiful weather and lifestyle, and the friends they have made along the way. 

Jeff has always been a handyman and a keen gardener, staying active by getting out of the house for activities such as aqua aerobics, lead lighting (creating decorative windows) and wood burning (creating artistic patterns on wood). 

He committed to daily walks on his own until his 100th birthday to maintain his fitness. 

Now living at Onkaparinga Lodge Residential Care, Jeff continues to participate in activities and still enjoys gentle exercise.

Healthwise, he is a big believer of the mantra ‘everything in moderation’ - while he has never been particularly conscious of his diet he has never been one to overeat, he enjoys his sweets too but doesn’t overindulge. 

As for living a happy life, Jeff says; “there is no use worrying or complaining.” 

“Try to live your life with gratitude for all the wonderful things you may have - whether that’s love from your family or a roof over your head.” 

To read about more of the celebrated centenarians in the Southern Cross Care Community, click here.