The dancer aged 106 who bans the word ‘old’

At 106, Eileen Kramer seems more productive than ever.

She writes a story a day from her Sydney aged-care facility, publishes books and has entered Australia’s most prestigious painting competition.

After decades living abroad, Ms Kramer returned to her home city of Sydney aged 99. Since then, she’s collaborated with artists to create several videos that showcase her primary talent and lifelong passion: dancing.

Ms Kramer still dances – graceful, dramatic movements mostly using the top half of her body. In more recent years, she has also choreographed.

“Since returning to Sydney I’ve been so busy – I’ve performed three big dance pieces at NIDA [the National Institute for Dramatic Art] and independent theatres.

“I’ve participated in two big dance festivals in Adelaide and Brisbane, I’ve been in a film, given many smaller performances, written three books, and today I’m having a free day talking to you!” she says from her home.

Something she often gets asked is where all her energy comes from – and whether there’s a secret to dancing into old age.

Her response is that she banishes the words “old” and “age” from her vocabulary. She admonishes me for using them later in our chat.

“I say: I’m not old, I’ve just been here a long time and learnt a few things along the way.

“I don’t feel how people say you should feel when you’re old. My attitude to creating things is identical to when I was a child.” BBC