Olga Wheeler has witnessed wars, depressions and floods in her 106 years.
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The Tea Gardens resident recently celebrated her milestone birthday in style.
Olga, who still enjoys a drop of whisky and a game of bingo, is believed to be the oldest resident in Port Stephens.
Born in Woodstock, NSW, on December 4, 1919, Olga's early life demanded hard work.
She rode a horse to school in Spring Hill, left after sixth class, and later moved to Orange where she met her husband of 61 years, Len.
"I've worked hard all my life, I've seen depression, I've seen wars, fires, droughts," Olga said.
"I've had my ups and downs and I've been sick, but that's life, isn't it."
Olga's life was defined by activity: she was a competitive runner in her youth, winning many prizes, and later volunteered with the women's auxiliary at the Orange hospital.
She also served in pubs, scrubbed floors for the school headmaster, attended Sunday school and, with her husband Len, built their own home in Orange.
"Orange was a lovely place," Olga told ACM.
An avid gardener and animal lover, Olga spent years cooking for her family, including their famous rainbow birthday cakes and Christmas fruit cakes.
Her daughter, Lyn Mildwater, the only surviving child of four, described her mother as very giving, always helping others, "often at her own detriment."
"People would ask her to make floral arrangements and she'd use the flowers out of her own garden," Lyn said.
Olga lived independently until she was 101.
"I've been happy, but I don't like missing my loved ones," she said.
She moved to Tea Gardens in 2019 to be closer to Lyn.
Olga dedicated years to tending a lovely garden at home, a passion she still cultivates with African Violets at the nursing home.
"They are just so lovely," she said.
As a lifelong animal lover, Olga often rescued and nursed baby kangaroo joeys back to health, according to her daughter Lyn.
"I've always loved animals," Olga said.
One day, Olga's rescued joey escaped, forcing her to chase him down in her car.
"I opened the car door and he jumped in," she said.
While Olga never bothered much with her own birthday, the staff at Estia Health Tea Gardens certainly surprised her, throwing an elaborate celebration.
The 106-year-old was surprised on December 4 with a Great Gatsby themed party.
For her 105th, they brought a horse in for her to visit.
Today, Olga credits her health to simple living and vitamins.
She also occasionally enjoys her favourite drop of Jim Beam served with dry ginger ale.
"Mum would take some vitamins and that's about it, her health is pretty good," Lyn said.
