Olga Wheeler

This week I caught up with the beautiful Olga Wheeler. “I feel proud to be 99. I’ve had a long life, and I’ve had a good life, strangely enough it’s gone quickly. I’ve never wanted for anything; my children and grandchildren are wonderful to me.”

Age: 99
Where and when were you born? Woodstock in 1919.

What are the most important lessons you've learned in life? There’s a lot.. to be a good neighbour, treat other people how they would like to be treated.

What big world events were the most memorable while you were growing up? Oh I’ve got to think back.. the Harbour Bridge was opened, that was a wonderful thing, I remember the ribbon being cut and de Groot. I didn’t go to it because I was too young and many people, like us couldn’t afford it. That’s one of the best things I think I’ve seen.

What do you miss about the good-old days? You can leave your back door open, you looked after people if you could. We went to dances in Spring Hill, that was wonderful. The church socials and picnics, we don’t have any of those things now-a-days.

Describe yourself in three words. Outgoing, I worked all my life, I’d help anyone if I could.

What is your favourite childhood memory? We lived at Hillston, I was only young and we had a home there for a while because my Father was a shearer, I can still remember my Mother.. there was a veranda, she was standing on it.. and a big black snake was slithering along, so, she got the spade and she went ‘oop’.. no more black snake *laughs* I was watching it.

Another thing looking back on my life I enjoyed travelling to town in a horse and sulky, it was good, you’d sit up like Jackie *laughs* oh yes, it’s been a good life.

What did you want to be when you grew up? A Nurse, but my Mother wouldn’t let me. She was a nurse and she said nope! We lived at Spring Hill and we used to have to come into Orange on the train (about a 45 min trip), and she said no way, she was a bit strict. She didn’t want me travelling and staying in the nurse’s home because she didn’t know what I’d get up to. *laughs* So I couldn’t do that, so I did the next best thing. I was working at the Mayfair.

What was your first job? I went to school and finished sixth class, then I left and I used to scrub the Principals house, I used to get four shillings.. four shillings! I scrubbed the lino floors, and polished it, on your hands and knees. Gee that was a long time ago *laughs*

What was your favourite job? I was in the Hospitality business and I used to love doing the big dinners at the hotels and I did counter lunches, and dinners. The nicest one I think was way back, during the Cherry Blossom festival, we had the Police Pipe Band come and stay at the Royal Hotel and I served them, it was lovely.

What are you most proud of? I had four lovely children, three daughters and a son.. I have one left, and I’m very proud of her, she’s wonderful to me. Especially in the past year I broke my arm and it’s still not right. I’m back on my feet again though.

What did you get up to when you were young? We used to have to make our own fun, we went to dances, church of course and a thing that they used to call Comrades, it was more like a bible reading. It was quite interesting.

My Grandmother used to live at Walgoolan, they had a big property there, I used to have Christmas with them and go on hay rides, there was never a dull moment.

How did you meet your spouse? I was married in 1941 to Leonard, we were married for 61.5 years. I met him at the Mayfair, he used to come down with the big trucks, down McNamara Lane into Summer Street.

Who is the person who influenced your life the most? Why? I’d say my husband, Leonard. I loved him very much, we did so many things together, it was a big blow when he went.

What is your favourite thing to do for fun now? *laughs* Reading, or knitting or crocheting, that’s all I can do at the moment. I used to have a beautiful garden I can’t get out to it now. I love me hoy! I go twice a week to the Bowling club and have lunch up there.

What could you tell me that I would be surprised to learn about you? I used to ride a bike, I drove a car, a motorbike, a pushbike, I played golf, I played tennis, I missed a hole in one by that much [shows a centimetre difference].. I got a hole in two instead. *laughs*

What’s the secret to making 99? I’ve worked hard all my life, I’ve seen the depression I’ve seen the wars, fires, drought, I’ve just about seen everything. I’ve been happy, I don’t like missing my loved ones, I’ve had my ups and downs and I’ve been sick, but.. that’s life isn’t it.

What are you looking forward to when turning 100? I’m looking forward to my party *smiles* and my letter from the Queen.