Don’t be surprised if Tarragal Manor resident Olga Hird dances the night away when she celebrates her 100th birthday on 11th September.
The spritely centenarian attributes her longevity to dancing, as well as her pragmatic approach to life, happy disposition, and supportive family and friends.
Born Olga Rose Newby, she left school at 14 to work as a machinist and lend support to her widowed mother.
It was, unsurprisingly, at a dance in Balmain where Olga met her future husband, Lewis, who spent five years as a POW in Europe before returning home to marry his sweetheart in November 1946.
The happy couple moved to their new home in Gladesville in 1954 and had four children, before shifting to Woy Woy on the Central Coast in retirement.
Dancing continued to be a major part of the Hirds’ lives when they pursued their hobby at Ettalong’s Senior Citizens’ Club.
Lewis tragically passed away after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s Disease in 2000, and Olga continued to dance well into her nineties, overcoming hip replacement surgery at 96 and again at 98.
Olga made the move to her care apartment at Tarragal Manor in 2015 and has greatly enjoyed the caring and friendly atmosphere.
She is looking forward to celebrating her special milestone with family, friends and fellow residents of Tarragal Manor.
For more information about Tarragal Manor and Tarragal Glen Retirement Village, click here.
