This week we caught up with Olga Hughes. Known as the social butterfly around St Francis Aged Care, Olga truly has a heart of gold. “I just be friendly; I’ve always been friendly. We’ve only been here two-and-a-bit years and I think I know every resident and staff member.”

Age: 86

Where were you born? Dubbo, NSW.

If you could describe your life in one sentence, that would it be? I would say it would be… happy.

What are the most important lessons you've learned in life? It’s not all take, you’ve got to give a lot, and you can’t be happy all of the time, but you can be happy most of the time.

What were your hobbies/interests growing up? Well, I was the only girl out of five kids, and I seemed to get all of the jobs, *laughs* making their beds and washing and wiping up. I wasn’t a very sporty person, I just spent most of my time playing with my siblings, most of the time we weren’t allowed out of the yard, it was pretty strict, but it put us in good stead.

What was your naughtiest moment as a child? Dear oh dear, I don’t think I was naughty *laughs* I can remember one time we were about to go to the movies on a Saturday afternoon if we were good. All of the kids were heading to the local café, when they got there, I can remember they were selling PK in a four-tablet pack, which would have been half a cent. We were all lined up to get this chewing gum, but we couldn’t get it. I remember going up to this man and I gave him my money and said will you please get me a packet of chewing gum, he came back and gave me my chewing gum and also gave me my money back, and of course all of the kids were jealous. *laughs*

Did you get an allowance? No, and I always paid board, Mum and Dad believed children should pay board, I think it made us appreciate things more. I was getting about 12 dollars a week by the time I was married, I used to give mum half and they would put that towards our wedding. Things were tough, when I was tough, they weren’t tough for us because that’s all we knew, looking back now, they were tough times.

What’s the secret to a happy marriage? Give and take.

How did you know you were in love? Everything seemed happy and everything was fitting in to what I would imagine it to be.

What events were the most memorable in your life? The moment our first child was born. *smiles* It was a day to remember, I just remember the joy and the happiness. I was 21 years old, I can remember thinking thank God it’s all over, Harry (my husband) dropped me at the hospital and then went back home to sleep *laughs*

What was your first job? I was a receptionist for a Real Estate Agent, jobs weren’t easy to get in those days, it was just after the war. I enjoyed the job and meeting other people.

What are you most proud of? My kids, they’ve always been there for us, we are very lucky to have them. We’ve been in a position to be able to help them, and that’s coming out in them helping us now.

Who is the person who influenced your life the most? Why? It would have to be my Dad, he was just such a family man, he was always there for me.