By Ewen McRae
Mladen Kurbanovic may not be a sprightly as he once was, but for a man who’s just celebrated his 102nd birthday, he’s travelling well.
The St Albans man, who chalked up the milestone on August 6, said buying his first Bible following the passing of his wife had changed his life and was his secret to his longevity.
“Until I was 45 I did not know I had a soul,” Mr Kurbanovic said.
“My secret has been to study the Bible. It really is a super book that should be diligently taught.
“I am who I am because I have balance between spirit, mind and body.”
Mr Kurbanovic said eating wheat grass also helped keep his energy levels up, and regular walks helped him feel young.
The Croatian-born Australian grew up in Zagreb, where he was studying science before the breakout of World War II.
When the war began he faced a simple choice; finish his studies or join the army.
“I had colleagues who were older than me, and when they finished studying they went into the army and were shot down,” he said.
“So it was finish my studies or join the army. I said ‘thanks very much, I will keep studying’.
“Zagreb was not bombed much during the war so I was very lucky.”
After Zagreb he studied agriculture in Brussels, before immigrating to Australia with his wife in 1961, where he worked at the CSIRO until 1981.
He spent many years living in Fitzroy North and Hawthorn before moving out west later in life.
