Sandra Bragg has retired from housekeeping for the Southland Woman’s Club after 44 years.
Mrs Bragg never even knew "the club existed" until her sister-in-law left the housekeeping position to her.
She said she grabbed the opportunity to get away from the house while her two young children were at school.
"It was a little bit of freedom ... [getting] away from the house, [that] sort of thing," she said.
The 71-year-old could not have predicted that her escape would lead to a career with the Southland Women’s Club spanning over four decades.
She said the role helped expand her thinking about the world.
"It’s made me see a bigger world," she said.
The club provided not just a living for her, but a lifetime of connections and camaraderie.
"I’ve learnt so much.
"They’ve opened me to gardening and cooking.
"A lot of different things they’ve done for me and their friendship, too, has been amazing."
The Southland Women’s Club has been offering a place for women of all ages to gather, build friendships, share talents and have fun for 104 years.
The club’s president Olive McCall said Mrs Braggs’ dedication had been inspiring.
"I’ve not ever met anybody who’s worked in the same job for that length of time," Mrs McCall said.
"She has been a fixture of the club for so long.
"It has been a challenge to find a suitable replacement."
Mrs McCall said her long-term employee had a way of working with the "different dynamics within the ladies’ circles" that made her great in her role.
"The pleasantness of the club is a reflection of who Sandra is."
The club celebrated Mrs Bragg’s milestone and retirement with a morning tea and entertainment yesterday.
She plans to use her new-found freedom gardening, reading and spending time with her grandchildren.
