She’s lived through a war, immigrated to Australia, lived in refugee and migrant camps and raised her family alone after being widowed at an early age.
But they were not always tough times.
As the matriarch of a large family consisting six children, 19 grandchildren and 35 great grandchildren there have been plenty of happy memories too.
Adding to the memories – and the family - will be the birth of Rena’s first great great grandchild this October.
Rena Calagaz (nee Sussich) was born in Cherso, Italy, on August 23, 1919, and was one of five children.
Soon after her birth, the family moved to Fiume, Italy, where they resided until after World War II.
In 1937, a day before her 18th birthday, Rena married Severino Calagaz, and they went on to have six children – Reno (who sadly passed away in 2018 at 80), Renata, William, Miriam, Robert and Wendy.
In 1947 - after the births of Reno and Renata - the family was forced to leave Fiume, and they spent the next three years in refugee camps in Italy.
They eventually sailed for Australia in 1950.
Arriving on May 12 that year, the family was transported from Melbourne to the Bonegilla migrant camp near Albury.
They spent the next three years living in migrant camps, including various camps in Victoria.
It was during this time Rena and Severino added to their family, welcoming William and Miriam.
It was in March 1953 the family first made their way to Deniliquin, and particularly the Lawson Syphon area.
One week after their arrival their fifth child Robert was born, and five years later they completed their family with Wendy.
The next move for the family was in 1961, but they did not go too far.
They settled in a home in Wood St, Deniliquin, where Rena continued to live until her age caught up with her. She moved to Orana in January 2011.
Rena was widowed in 1966 and the next few years were a financial struggle as she raised her youngest four children on her own.
She was a skilled seamstress and augmented her pension by doing alterations for Geoff Riley's men’s wear shop. It was a job she enjoyed for many years.
Rena took up indoor bowls in 1975, and it soon became her passion.
She was very good at the sport and won many trophies over the years.
Her children often joked that they had to make appointments to see her because she was always so busy playing bowls.
It was during this period that Rena became very good friends with Elva Johnston.
The two of them had many memorable years, travelling all over Australia as well as overseas together.
Hopping on a Hussey’s coach, they would often travel to see TV shows and musicals in Melbourne and surrounding areas.
Sadly, Elva died in 2003, ending almost 30 years of a wonderful friendship.
Rena has been very well looked after at Orana over the past eight years, and was pleased when her friend Jean Fox made Orana her home as well in 2013.
They were able to enjoy playing cards and scrabble together until Jean sadly passed away in December 2016.
Rena’s family all live relatively close, and visit regularly.
A large number of her family are still located in Deniliquin and will be celebrating Rena’s special milestone today and over the weekend.
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