Kiama's Phyllis Fisher - still fighting fit at 93. Picture: ALBEY BOND
WHEN Phyllis Fisher had the chance to move to Kiama as a teenager to look after an ill uncle, she jumped at the opportunity - and has never regretted the move.
The 93-year-old, who has lived in the same Taylor Street home for 58 years, said the offer came out of the blue and gave her a chance to get out of Nowra.
“I really hated living in Nowra – not that there is anything wrong with Nowra,’’ Mrs Fisher said. ‘‘But it really didn’t suit me, so I moved to Kiama, have been here ever since and have loved every minute of it.’’
She married butcher, Reg Fisher, and they had a son, Ian.
Phyllis now boasts four grandsons and 13 great-grandchildren – all of whom are special to her.
Reg had quite a reputation as a butcher, originally working for Jack Smith and then George Hall in Terralong Street. He also worked for 43 years in the old Swan’s Butchery building in Manning Street before he retired.
“He loved the butchery game; even though it was long hours, he enjoyed the interaction with the customers,’’ she said. ‘‘But, unfortunately he passed away suddenly 15 years ago.’’
Her own working life was close to home – 15 years at the old Cleo Cladders clothing factory in Farmer Street. “It’s a shame, but most of the people I worked with there are now gone, which is very sad,’’ she said.
While preparing flowers for her annual displays at the Kiama Show, she said she loved still living in her own home and stayed fit by walking, gardening and mowing her lawns.
“My grandsons offer to mow the lawns for me, but while I can still do them myself, I want to keep doing it,’’ she said. ‘‘In fact, I just bought a new mower because I was sick of getting the old one fixed.
“[Kiama is] a great place to live. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”