There's paperwork spread out on the kitchen table and the phone is always ringing - because Taihape woman Frances Randle has spent large portions of her retirement helping others.
She's been awarded a Queen's Service Medal (QSM) for services to senior citizens and the community.
Taking the attitude that someone has to do these things, and getting help from others, Mrs Randle said Taihape was an amazing little community with lots going on.
Many of its young people and families leave, to get jobs in bigger centres. After that some of the "oldies" are without family support. That's where Taihape Older and Bolder, its meals on wheels service and its friendship group for senior citizens come in.
"The oldies feel really safe here, because they're really well looked after," Mrs Randle said.
She has lived in the Rangitikei town for 53 years, and worked in the office of Taihape Veterinary Clinic for 30 years. She first got involved with the community through Brownies, when her daughter Jenny joined. She became a leader, and then a trainer.
By the time Mrs Randle retired in 2002, people knew she had skills.
"It doesn't take long for everybody to shoulder-tap you, which was great," she said.
She's been the secretary of Taihape Older and Bolder. She's both chairwoman, treasurer and caterer at the Taihape Senior Citizens Friendship Group's twice-monthly lunch meetings.
She loves watching the senior citizens enjoy themselves.
"They love it. They come and sit and have tea, and be entertained. The chatter is amazing, and that's really special."
For three terms Mrs Randle was the person who spoke up for Taihape and Waimarino groups when funding was available through the Community Organisations Grants Scheme (COGS).
"They needed someone to campaign on their behalf, and that was me."
Her main focus these days is the information, co-ordination and transport role in Taihape
Older and Bolder's contract with Otaihape Health. She makes sure drivers are available when the town's old people need to be taken to hospital and back.
At one stage someone was needing dialysis in Palmerston North three times a week. Sometimes the calls are urgent and unexpected - and she can usually rely on her husband, Colin, then.
"We have patients taken to Whanganui in an ambulance. They get down there and have no way of getting home. We have to get someone down there as soon as we can."
The volunteer drivers are "marvellous people". They drive a van the community raised funds to purchase.
Mrs Randle is also treasurer for Taihape Floral Art and helps organise fundraising golf tournaments.