August 19, 2025“I’m Violeta, I’m 75 years old. I’ve been looking after Mum for the last 34 years. I’m honoured to do so.”
It’s a simple statement, but one that carries the weight of a lifetime. And now, as Albina celebrates her 100th birthday in the Palliative Care Ward at Northern Hospital Epping, surrounded by grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and the gentle care of dedicated nurses, that bond feels stronger than ever.
Born on August 6, 1925, Albina reached her centenary – a milestone marked not just by candles and cake, but by the presence of four generations of family. While the nurses on the ward held a quiet celebration, the real party was reserved for when Albina’s extended family gathered to honour the matriarch who held them all together.
Her granddaughter Silvana said, “On the 6th of August l had a once in a lifetime opportunity to celebrate my grandmother’s 100th Birthday. Albina Sereci is not only my grandmother but a woman who l lived with in Kosovo for 4 years from the age of nine until l turned seven and returned to my parents in Australia. I am blessed to have shared my wedding day and the birth of my boys with my grandmother, who along with my amazing mum, helped make me the strong woman l am today. Love you Baka.”
Albina’s journey began in Croatia, where she raised her children with discipline, faith, and a fierce maternal instinct. “She didn’t work outside the home,” Violeta recalls. “She looked after us. No childcare, just Mum. Always cooking, always making sure we ate. Every day, church at six, home by seven.”
Violeta left Croatia before she turned 18, newly married and full of hope. Albina came to visit in 1978 to help her daughter. “She stayed for six months,” Violeta says. “And then in 1990, we brought her here to live. It’s been 34 years now.”
Ask Violeta what her mother loved most, and she doesn’t hesitate, “Baking. All those desserts! She’d be up at 5 am, then off to church, then home to cook. That was Mum.”
Albina has been in and out of Northern Hospital several times over the past year, but this latest stay—now in its fourth week—feels different. “She’s in Palliative Care now,” Violeta explains. “And I’m very comfortable with her being here. The staff are like family.”
That sentiment is echoed by Nurse Mark Giantsis, who has been part of Albina’s care team. “She has been a gentle and beautiful presence and caring for her has been complemented by meeting her highly dedicated daughter, Violeta. Her companionship and love reflect the strong bond within their family.”
Violeta’s trust in the team is so strong that she’s able to go home and rest, knowing her mother is in safe hands. “They told me I could stay overnight if I wanted. But I’d only be in the way. They’ve got their routine. I don’t want to disturb that. They do a terrific job.”
As Albina turns 100, her legacy isn’t just in the years she’s lived—it’s in the lives she’s shaped. In Violeta’s unwavering care. In the laughter of great-grandchildren, she once cradled. In the quiet dignity of a woman who baked, prayed, and loved. And now, in the gentle hands of the Palliative Care Team at Northern Hospital.
As Nurse Giantsis reflects, “Looking into the eyes of Albina is a historic experience as we reflect on all the amazing times she has lived through during her long years.”
