Beryl Washer has just decided it might be time to test her brakes.
But the Rahotu woman, who turned 90 in May, won't come to a grinding halt. She swears she will continue to potter around her 2.4-hectare garden, drive herself from A to B, and play a key role in the community for as long as she can.
"I'm still pretty fit, I think. The only difference is I'm made to have my stick now, just in case," she says, pointing at the unwanted tool.
She talks ninety-to-the-dozen in between lunch and cup of tea offers, suggesting her life has been nothing but fast-paced.
Only last year Beryl retired as coach and secretary of the Rahotu Tennis Club.
The role was hers for more than 45 years and she played a huge part in running a weekly competition for primary school children.
"I used to take the kids every Wednesday and wouldn't give it up until I knew there was someone else there to take it over," she says.
The position earned her a Taranaki Top Coach award and Beryl says she stayed in the role for so long because the kids kept her feeling youthful. She laughs at the number of her former charges who stop her on the street these days.
"Gosh, it's astounding. I have to say 'well who are you?' because I can't remember. And they go on to say 'oh you used to coach me 20 years ago'." And it wasn't just coaching she excelled at. Beryl played tennis and netball for Taranaki, as well as Victoria University, and was awarded a New Zealand Blue for netball after being recognised as an outstanding athlete at the university games in Canterbury during the 1940s.
There's just an inkling of pride as she shows off the award and recounts her trip to receive it at Government House.
Having grown up on a sheep farm in Ararata, Beryl had always been fond of rural life. Therefore, it was a bit of a shock when she packed her bags and went to New Plymouth Girls' High School as a 12-year-old boarder.
The change in scenery did little to hinder her performance, however, with Beryl passing bursary in sixth form and winning a scholarship to attend Victoria at the same time.
"In those days I knew I had to work. If you'd been through a depression like we had on the farm then you knew you had to work," she says of her high school achievements.
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Reaching for her framed degree, Beryl explains how she graduated with a Bachelor of Science at 19 and was awarded the Sir George Grey scholarship to pursue post-graduate study in England.
But World War II got in the way. "At the time the Japanese submarines were in the Pacific and I would have had to travel by boat. My father told me it was far too dangerous and wouldn't let me go," she says.
In 1945, Beryl married Charlie Washer.
Although he is no longer with her, it's evident that Beryl still holds a candle for her husband.
Her voice softens as she talks about his time as a bomber pilot in the NZ 75 squadron.
"He received a Distinguished Flying Cross and that's his plane up there," she gestures to a dramatic painting that takes centre stage on her dining room wall. They moved to Rahotu in 1957 with their three children John, Marie and Jenny, after buying a property off the Maxwell family who were rhododendron specialists.
This is still Beryl's home and the place her love for gardening blossomed.
The passion is obvious as she circles her park-like garden, fondly pointing out the different species of rhododendron.
She stops to make sure the prized copper beech that towers over the section isn't overlooked.
The inviting lawn that stretches out from the Washer's summit stone homestead has also seen plenty of action.
As president of the Rahotu Women's Division for 32 years, and the North Taranaki president for three, Beryl has hosted many a garden party. She also held functions for the National Party, one of which could have been the biggest event to ever hit Rahotu, with more than 500 people in attendance.
"Oh, that was a lovely day," remembers Beryl. "We even had Venn Young and his wife here with Jonathan, who was just a little boy." The Rahotu garden has also opened for many years during the Taranaki Rhododendron Festival, and for fundraisers in conjunction with the Coastal Garden Group. They raised money for charities such as the rescue helicopter, Hospice and A House for Karen.
Close friend and women's division associate, Madge Jarman, says Beryl was the perfect host on such occasions.
"She was definitely an entertainer," says Madge. "She would get me in to do the afternoon tea and she would be off talking to everyone." Madge says Beryl's friendly and social nature is what has made her an appreciated and well-known member of the community.
"She's always the first one to introduce herself to someone new, and if she see's someone she doesn't know she'll accidently bump into them at the shop and introduce herself.
"A lot of people say she talks too much but that's just her and everybody loves her. They just make sure they have enough spare time if they're going to visit," laughs Madge.
Beryl was also the go-to lady for tutoring in the area and helped scores of students get through School Certificate and Bursary unscathed. "I had a lot of kids come here over the years and I'd help them with their maths or chemistry. We used to sit at that desk over there," she says, pointing to the dining table where a prepared lunch sits.
"I've got my grandson living with me at the moment you see," she says momentarily distracted. "Gosh, I spoil him. But yes, I used to love teaching the kids because it kept my brain going." And Beryl's brain is so well wired that she's managed to get through life without relying on technology. "I used to say 'I won't use a calculator'. Charlie used to use it and I'd just about have it all added up before he'd pushed equals," she laughs.
"I won't learn the computer either," she says sternly, referring to the brand new Apple iMac that was bought for her.
"Bevan (grandson) says, 'look gran you've got to learn'.
"I just say to him 'well look, at 90 years old I'm allowed to say no'," she laughs. Despite her spirited life, Beryl has endured her fair share of difficult times.
The grandmother of eight and great-grandmother of five, faced cancer at 50, but didn't let that slow her down one bit.
"I had an operation and had the sigmoid section of my bowel taken away," she says dismissively, as if she'd had the flu.
The death of her husband Charlie in 1999 was also a difficult time when she greatly appreciated the support of her family and friends.
"It was very hard for me when Charlie went, but I'm fortunate to have such wonderful people around who have kept me going."
Although Beryl is gradually beginning to slow down, she says she will continue to do as much as her body will allow her to do. "It's hard at this age, but I think you've got to keep busy. I like to have a purpose when I wake up in the morning."
- © Fairfax NZ News HANNAH FLEMING
Last updated 10:18 31/12/2011
HANNAH FLEMING
Beryl Washer has recently retired as a tennis coach in Rahotu
tdn beryl stand2
Beryl Washer, left, and partner Kath Sole won the North Taranaki woman's doubles title http://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/life-style/6204383/Beryls-the-Rahotu-go-to-lady
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