Alex Rezko is the longest living resident in Huntley, she was just six years old when her family moved from Eastern Europe. It was on 11th of the November in 1949, 70 years ago, Alex explains, “On that day, we got peace and freedom.”

“My Father was in the Polish Army and he had become a prisoner of War, he ended up in Germany. He met my Mum there, and I was born there. We lived in camp for a while, before the Australian Government were looking for workers, we applied, and they accepted us.

“I still remember entering Sydney Harbour. The Harbour Bridge was there but the Opera House wasn’t, that was my first memory.”

Alex recalls their nervousness in moving to a new country, “We didn’t know the first thing about Australia. We couldn’t speak a word of English, which made it even harder. We actually stayed in Parkes, which was the furthest inland camp with accommodation, I had my first Australian Christmas there.”

My father was not long after employed as a railway fettler in Huntley, he came across this shop which consisted of two rooms which became our house and still is my house to this day, the house is pretty shabby, but I want to do it up and restore it to what it was. That was my first Australian home, I called it Fettlers House.

“I remember the day that we came to Huntley, we were the first non-English speaking in the village, it was a freezing, snowy day, our neighbours gave us some warmth and we were very welcomed. There was a wonderful community here.

“We didn’t have electricity or running water, we just didn’t have money in those days and we never complained about anything. My parents were grateful for what they had, I remember my father saying, ‘this may be a shack, but we will make it our home.’

In Huntley we were surrounded by orchards and a dairy, it was absolutely beautiful.

The railway became the most important thing in Huntley when it came through, people wanted to be close by, it carried the goods to Sydney, everything from potatoes and peas, to milk. I always honour the railway because they gave my Father a job. We lived a slower pace of life back then which is expected.

My Mum died in 1971, she had the tough life, she had four children, she lived in shocking conditions from a war zone, and living with mental illness. I’d suppose you’d say it’s a story of tragedy, and a story of hardship, but as I am the last survivor, I want Huntley’s history to be told, the heritage is so important.”

“Huntley reminded my Dad of his homeland, the agriculture, the animals, the peacefulness- he was not materialistic.

I was a teacher in Orange for 40 years, I retired early as my father was aging and I was to look after him. Whilst I was looking after him, we planted many trees in the village, he really valued them and he instilled that value in me.”

As Alex showed me throughout the property, she continued to emphasise, “I want to try and protect this, it is a part of history, people walked along here. My parents planted many trees around here, which still stand today.

“I love trees, and the natural beauty of trees. They have become a creative passion of mine.

“In 16 years, despite the drought and everything else I’ve planted many and they have thrived, I’ve had the councils help for a few of them too.”

Alex estimates she has planted close to 200 trees in the village. Her favourites are either pistachios or liquid ambers.

“Every place has a story, I’ve been through thick and thin in this village, and I want to leave behind, the beauty and history in these trees for the next generation in Huntley.

“70 years on, I wake up each day and I am grateful.”