As a Bupa Willowbank Retirement Village resident in her 70s, Carol completely dispels the myth that life slows down once you move to a retirement village.
"I suppose you could say I have a busy life," says Carol, who confesses to such a crowded schedule outside the village that she treasures the rare times when she can find a comfy chair and put her feet up in her villa.
From darts and housie, to wine club, speedway, a Holden cruising club and various other duties for the Taradale and District RSA, Carol leads a full, active life.
She joined the RSA 22 years ago to accompany her husband Brian, who had a passion for darts. "We went around other clubs and played on a weekly basis, so I soon learnt how to play, especially with a good teacher like Brian," she says.
"I went onto the RSA committee for 11 years and oversaw all the entertainment, became vice-president, then an honorary Life Member," says Carol, who is Patron of the Taradale RSA.
She is there, she says, at least five days a week and, among many other administrative and social duties, helps with the housie calling, selling Anzac Day poppies and the RSA Wine Club.
"We've had some magnificent wineries come to talk about winemaking, with a variety of tastings. We have 30 members – and it's growing all the time."
It's a measure of Carol's energy and sense of purpose that she was entrusted with the RSA's entertainment. She remembers several New Zealand entertainment icons among her captures – Tom Sharplin, Gray Bartlett and Shane Hales (previously known as just Shane), now in his 70s himself and the source of the fine old New Zealand hit song, St Paul (written about Paul McCartney).
"I guess I could say I'm a good example of how to live in a retirement village," she says, "because I'm pretty busy when I am not here; it doesn't really feel like retirement."
Family plays a big role in Carol's other interests – her grandson and granddaughter race in the Production Saloon Cars class in speedway and she has watched them regularly. A son also started a club involving Holden cars which go on outings and fundraise for causes like Breast Cancer Awareness and Women's Refuge. Naturally, Carol is there too.
Carol's husband Brian lives with dementia, and is a resident at a Bupa care home.
"This shift [to Willowbank] was the right thing at the right time for me. It was getting difficult with Brian at our Taradale home. And moving here has certainly changed my life; I'm even busier," she laughs.
"I do a lot around the village as well," says Carol, "and I love a game of cards, five crowns and rummikub – and the exercise class. However, I haven't made it to the exercise class yet because I try to see Brian at least three days a week."
She has made, along with her long-time RSA friends, a new group of friends in the village, including a widow who grew up in Carol's hometown of Wairoa, and a couple who live close to her villa and are a favourite pitstop for a chat and maybe a glass of wine.
"It's a great place. I enjoy it and I like how I can have my life outside the village as well as in it."