Harvey treasure Antonina Mastrantonio celebrates 102nd birthday saying the secret to a long life is love

Antonina Mastrantonio’s birthday cake was covered with candles at the weekend as the Harvey treasure celebrated her 102nd birthday surrounded by her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Full of smiles, Ms Mastrantonio happily shared the secret to living a long happy life.

“The secret is to always be good, respect the law where you live, and love everyone,” she said.

“That’s my thing, I love everybody.”

Born in Sicily on May 4, 1922, Mrs Mastrantonio moved to Australia at 16, settling in Harvey where she has remained a staple of the community for decades.

She said she remembered working on a farm with her brother and sister, growing beans, potatoes and peas. She would take two bags of beans on her pushbike into town where she would load them on to a train and travel to the Perth markets.

Her son Peter Mastrantonio said he finds it hard to imagine his mother riding her bike through town with two bags of beans balanced on the frame.

After the Second World War, Mrs Mastrantonio and her family bought a former army truck which she used to drive cattle from farm to farm.

In 1957 she married and began running a dairy farm with her family where she would make cheeses like provolone and ricotta.

“We always had good fresh things from the farm,” Mrs Mastrantonio said.

With farming and gardening being such a major part of Mrs Mastrantonio’s life, her garden is still packed with chilli and zucchini to this day.

Beyond life on the farm, Mrs Mastrantonio was a talented seamstress, adjusting waistcoats, trousers and suit jackets in Harvey.

“I was good with my hands,” she said.

“I spent a lot of time sewing, I even did wedding dresses.”

Having lived in Harvey for so long, said she the highlight had been the love and respect shared throughout.

“It’s a good place, a very good place,” she said.

“But you have to help make it good yourself.

“Do the right thing, love and respect everybody.”