At 89 years of age, Edward Kendt, better known as Ted, has lived a remarkable life.

From arriving in Australia as a young refugee after World War II to building a home, raising a family, travelling the world and sharing 62 years of marriage with the love of his life, Ted's story is one of resilience, hard work and gratitude.

Born in Poland as Tadeusz Kendt, Ted spent his first eight years there before his family was displaced by the war and moved to Germany. At just 14 years old, he, his parents, grandmother and older brother boarded a ship bound for Australia under the United Nations Refugee Scheme.

The journey was anything but easy.

"It took 67 days to get here," Ted recalls. "The ship was drifting in the sea, but we make it safely. We were very lucky."

The family arrived in Melbourne on 25 January 1951, a date Ted remembers vividly more than seven decades later.

"It was a very different country from what it is now, but it was a wonderful country for the working man," he says.

Like many migrants of that era, Ted's family arrived with little but quickly embraced every opportunity available to them. Within months, his father and brother were fulfilling government work contracts, while the family moved throughout regional Victoria following seasonal work.

Despite the challenges, they thrived.

After only ten months in Australia, the family had saved enough money to purchase a quarter-acre block of land.

"Within three years we had a house," Ted says proudly. "That's how good the country was for the working man."

From left to right: Ted’s grandmother, mother, dad, brother and in the far right corner, young Ted himself at 14 years of age when they first arrived in Australia. Down below are images of their first home, and him and his brother.

Determined to build a future, Ted entered the workforce at just 15 years old. Starting as a junior assistant in a carpentry workshop, he quickly gained the support of a foreman who encouraged him to pursue an apprenticeship and attend technical college.

That decision would help shape the rest of his life.

By 1961, Ted had built his own home. But as he tells it, the greatest achievement came shortly afterwards.

"The best part of all this is that I met my wife, Dulcie," he says with a smile. "She was a wonderful woman."

The pair married in 1962 and spent the next 62 years together, raising two children and welcoming three grandchildren.

Outside of family life, Ted pursued his many passions. A self-confessed sports enthusiast, he has attended five Olympic Games, with Sydney 2000 remaining his favourite. He and Dulcie also shared a love of travel and reading, building a collection of more than 600 books over the years.

Then, around five years ago, life took an unexpected turn.

Dulcie developed a serious lung infection and was admitted to hospital. After more than two weeks there, she made a decision that reflected the determination Ted had always admired in her.

"She said, 'I want to go home,” Ted remembers.

Although doctors initially believed she should remain in hospital, Dulcie was adamant she wanted to be in familiar surroundings. Ted supported her decision and brought her home.

What followed introduced the couple to the value of in-home aged care support.

For 19 days, nurses and healthcare professionals visited regularly, ensuring Dulcie received the care she needed while remaining where she felt most comfortable.

"They were terrific," Ted says. "She was much happier at home than she was in hospital."

That experience left a lasting impression.

Not only did it provide comfort and dignity for Dulcie in her final chapter, but it also demonstrated to Ted how valuable quality support services can be for older Australians wanting to maintain their independence.

When Dulcie later passed away, in May 2024, and Ted began navigating life on his own, he knew where to turn.

Having seen the difference that compassionate care made, he chose Seniors Community Care for support.

"I went automatically to them," he says.

Today, Seniors Community Care assists Ted to continue living independently in the home he has cherished for decades. More importantly, it provides peace of mind and the reassurance that support is there when he needs it.

Ted believes many people wait too long before exploring aged care services and encourages others to start the process early.

"Even if you don't need it at the time, apply early," he advises. "Be prepared."

Reflecting on his experience, Ted is quick to praise the support he receives.

"The assistance that I get is very good," he says. "I'll give them 10 out of 10."

Looking back across nearly nine decades of life, Ted remains grateful for the opportunities Australia has given him, the family he built, and the support that continues to help him live independently.