When Armida says she feels like she’s 29, it’s easy to believe her. At 85, her life is fuller and busier than many people half her age. Family and friends, gardening, Bridge, the gym three times a week, travel, and continuing to work as a solicitor all fit neatly into her days. While she no longer plays competition Bridge, she still loves card games and is determined to teach her grandchildren how to play cards and chess. Every interest is embraced with energy and balance - perfectly suited to her vibrant lifestyle.

In her kitchen, a pot of plum jam bubbles gently on the stove top, made from fruit picked from her own tree. It’s a small but telling detail, quietly reflecting her Italian heritage.

In just a few weeks, Armida will head to Canada for her annual ski trip (as you do!). After a 15-hour flight from Sydney, she’ll be carving through fresh snow. Later this year, she has hiking planned in the Flinders Ranges, followed by a yoga and meditation retreat in India. Adventure, for Armida, has no expiry date.

Born in Australia to Italian parents who spoke very little English, Armida grew up in a home rich in culture but where navigating school and work required extra determination. She learned early that opportunities would not simply be handed to her - she would have to earn them.

Determined to study law at a time when few women did, Armida completed Year 12 in two years at night school while working full time. Although she missed out on a Commonwealth Government scholarship initially, she was later awarded one after her first year of law, allowing her to step back from full-time work and focus on her studies.

Entering the legal profession brought its own challenges. Ambitious women were not always welcomed, and professional networks were often built on handshakes, family connections, and private circles - none of which Armida had access to.

She eventually found her place in commercial law before going on to establish her own legal practice. In the 1960s, her ability to speak Italian became a significant advantage. Many Italian families needed legal support, and Armida was able to provide advice in their own language, building trust and connection within the community.

The work was demanding. Long days and late nights were the norm, and for many years, work came first. After selling her practice, Armida travelled overseas for 12 months - a well-earned reset - before moving into the next stage of her life.

Languages have always been a passion. In addition to fluent Italian, Armida speaks Venetian, a traditional language from the Venice region. Italy has remained a constant in her life, with many return visits focused on staying connected with family.

She also learned French at high school and speaks it confidently, even if imperfectly. After travelling through Spain in the 1970s, she completed a three-week intensive language course and became conversational in Spanish. “I think of speaking another language as like going into a different room and setting the dial in my head to that,” she says.

That love of language took her on a three-month journey through South America, where she practised Spanish, met locals, and visited cousins of her mother who had emigrated to Argentina.

Skiing entered Armida’s life during her early working years in Victoria, close to the ski fields. She joined three ski clubs so accommodation was always available for a last-minute escape.

The mountains offered something she couldn’t find anywhere else: silence. No work. No phone. No television. No radio. Just snow.

Skiing became a release from the pressures of a demanding legal career. Over the years, Armida has skied across Australia, Europe, Japan, New Zealand, and Canada. Even injuries have never kept her away from the slopes for long.

Meals on Wheels also plays an important role in Armida’s life. It’s not just the nutrition that supports her active lifestyle — it’s the connection. The volunteer visits matter deeply. “I keep icy poles ready for them on hot days,” Armida says with a smile.

When it comes to food, her preferences are clear. She loves roasts, meat, and vegetable dishes. “Most of the meals I get from the branch are restaurant quality,” she says. She’s not a fan of supermarket ready meals, which she feels are filled with cheap carbohydrates.

When asked what she hopes for the future, Armida’s answer is simple and powerful: to age well, stay active, eat good food, remain curious, and continue saying yes to new experiences.

Armida’s life is rich with family, purpose, and adventure - a woman whose story is not just inspiring, but something to aspire to.