20-07-2025
Nonagenarians have remained friends for more than 40 years
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.
"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.
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.
"But once we moved into Yarram we settled in quite well."
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."
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.
"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!"
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.
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.
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.
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".
"Although now Esme and I have to remember to add three more letters to the end of our names!"
So what keeps these two women going after more than nine decades on Earth?
For Ms Pope, it is the opportunity to serve others.
"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.
"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."
