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Nonagenarians have remained friends for more than 40 years
Wendy Pope and Esme Rash are nonagenarian friends from the Victorian town of Yarram. (ABC Rural: Faith Tabalujan)
On a chilly winter's day, Esme Rash is flipping through a photo album.
"That was my first bike, which I used to ride the 5 miles [8 kilometres] to my high school in Yarram," Ms Rash said.
Sitting beside her is Wendy Pope, her long-time friend.
Wendy Pope and Esme Rash have many childhood memories in common. (ABC Rural: Faith Tabalujan)
"Oh how wonderful, I used to have one just like that," Ms Pope said.
At the ripe ages of 93 and 91, respectively, these two women have seen it all.
They have lived through a world war.
They have toiled as farmers, raising dairy cows, beef cattle and sheep.
They have met, married and mourned for the loves of their lives.
Through all of it, across more 40 years, they have remained firm friends.
Born and raised
Ms Pope was born in Yarram in 1934, and spent several years at a girls' school in the nearby town of Sale.
After meeting her late husband, Ms Pope lived and worked on a Woodside farm for more than 20 years, moving back to Yarram in 1977.
Ms Pope said she loved life on the land.
"I missed the broad acres and the daily responsibilities of raising sheep and Hereford cattle,"she said.
"But once we moved into Yarram we settled in quite well."
Wendy Pope and Esme Rash reminisce while looking at old photographs. (ABC Rural: Faith Tabalujan)
Ms Rash was born in Sale, but lived with her family on the outskirts of Yarram until she was 12 years old.
She remembers leaving her rural home in the middle of World War II.
"Unfortunately my mother's youngest brother had just been killed in New Guinea, which devastated my grandparents in Melbourne, so we moved there in 1943 to be with them," she said.
"But I eventually returned to Yarram with my late husband in 1978."
Country upbringing
A lot of Ms Pope's memories also centre on the war.
"It was 1945 and I remember sitting with my younger sisters on our front step to watch all the festivities announcing the end of the war," she said.
Ms Pope said she loved her country childhood.
"We had everything we needed — shops, banks — and a very close community built around the local sheep and wool industries,"she said.
"I also remember riding my bike to the local butter factory, where they'd open a little side door and serve you fresh butter and cream.
"That was quite thrilling for a youngster like me!"
Yarram's old butter factory is a much-loved landmark. (ABC Rural: Faith Tabalujan)
These two women have been friends for more than four decades, but Ms Pope said their bond goes even further back.
"In those days everyone knew everyone, so I knew Esme's family from our holiday trips to places like Manns Beach," she said.
"But I've grown to know Esme much more since we moved to Yarram, and she's a lovely lady whose company I greatly enjoy."
Lifetimes of service
They may be in their 90s, but Ms Rash and Ms Pope like to keep busy.
Ms Pope spends much of her time volunteering with various community groups.
"Over the years I've served at local Red Cross branches, the Anglican church, and Rotary, among others," she said.
"You meet so many fascinating people and, because I didn't have a family of my own, I had more opportunity to support these different organisations."
Family history is Ms Rash's passion.
"I'm secretary of our local genealogy group, so I often get calls from the most unexpected people," she said.
"In fact, I recently met the uncle of Tom Hawkins, one of my favourite footballers!"
Esme Rash loves family history. (ABC Rural: Faith Tabalujan)
Earlier this year, both women became recipients of the Medal of the Order of Australia.
On the King's Birthday weekend, they were honoured with an OAM, alongside 828 other Australians.
Ms Pope said she was both surprised and grateful to be recognised for a "distinguished service to the community of Yarram".
"I've just done whatever needed to be done, but it's lovely to be recognised,"she said.
"Although now Esme and I have to remember to add three more letters to the end of our names!"
The 'spice of life'
So what keeps these two women going after more than nine decades on Earth?
For Ms Pope, it is the opportunity to serve others.
"That's the spice of life, waking up each morning and thinking,'Who can I help?'"
"And if you've got something to look forward to, every day is a joy."
Ms Rash said being part of a close-knit community made all the difference.
Wendy Pope and Esme Rash look forward to more years of friendship. (ABC Rural: Faith Tabalujan)
"Here in Yarram, there's always somebody to say hello to when you walk down the street," she said.
Ms Rash said Yarram was, and always would be, home.
"The local nursing home is right next to the hospital, so I'll go there when my time comes," she said.
"And I already have my plot in the cemetery, so I'm just about covered."