This week I caught up with the beautiful Janita (Jan) Murphy, whilst Jan admits she is a little shy, she mentioned she hasn’t had many dull moments in her life and she is a country girl through and through.

Age: 83

Where and when were you born? Temora, 1936

What are the most important lessons you've learned in life? Stay with your faith, keep in mind how other people can have great sadness and sometimes you won’t even know anything about it, treat them well.

What big world events were the most memorable while you were growing up? I remember my Mother and Father having coupons for food during one of the droughts we had. I was also 10 when the war was happening, I suppose we didn’t know as much because we have the media stuff we have now. I think living on a farm the way I was for many years we didn’t have much, we would have only had a wireless.

Did you enjoy school? I was a little bit naughty at school *laughs* because I didn’t want to do the schoolwork, I wanted to do my art. I used to ride my horse to school, and it was quite a considerable way.

What is your favourite childhood memory? Just being on the farm, out there amongst the cows and sheep. Getting up early in the morning and milking the cow before school. We had a wheat farm. Because my Dad had very bad vision, I can remember I used to help him scoop the hay, sew up the wheat bags and I used to ride my horse and he would get me to move the sheep and cattle. Those were some of the happiest years of my life, it was doing things that I loved.

What did you want to be when you grew up? I wanted to do anything that was creative, I wanted to do millinery, I wanted to be a dress maker, but I guess I did do all of that. I made so many clothes for my children, I had 10 daughters so you can imagine how many weddings we had *smiles*I just kept making clothes and clothes and clothes.

What’s the secret to a happy marriage? Companionship, love and understanding of each other.

What life advice would you pass along to your grandchildren? Well, I had 12 children, I always wanted a big family, and I got my way. *laughs* I have 32 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren with another one on the way. I couldn’t imagine life with a small family, it wouldn’t have been as interesting *laughs* my children are wonderful people, I would have hated to have missed out on them. I’d say love one another is the biggest thing.

What are you most proud of? My family. *smiles*

Who is the person who influenced your life the most? Why? My parents, they had it tough, they worked hard for what they had.

What is your favourite thing to do for fun now? I’d say art. Watercolour is my favourite, but I do pencil and acrylic paintings too. Its relaxing for me, if you’re creative in any way some way or another it needs to come out *laughs*. I go out and about with my children, I keep busy, and I love reading, I’ve always been a reader. I don’t have that many dull moments. *smiles*