What's the secret to longevity? Is it eating well, stressing less or a nightly glass of red wine?
For 89-year-old Rita Bell, volunteering does the trick, as well as a spot of line-dancing on the side.
The southern Gold Coast woman has a tightly-packed daily schedule — one to rival even the prime minister or premier.
Rita says keeping busy is the secret to staying young, and she won't stop until her legs give way.
"I'm 90 in March but I'm never home, always out somewhere," she said.
Work ethic forged in the air force
Rita said she owed her strong work ethic to the years she spent in the British and New Zealand Air Forces, before she got married and had two children.
She said her time in the military was "what makes a man and woman" and recommended the line of work to others.
Later in life, Rita spent years volunteering with agencies including Crime Stoppers and St John Ambulance Service, before more recently taking up the night shift at Schoolies Week.
Five years volunteering at Schoolies
Every day for one week a year, Rita makes a four-hour round-trip to do her bit to help partying teenagers get through Schoolies Week relatively unscathed.
She walks 15 minutes from her home to catch a bus, then she boards a tram, before heading off on another walk to the volunteer tent. After her night shift ends, she makes the same two-hour journey in reverse.
It's a trip Rita has made to Schoolies Week for the past five years, and she says she still has many more years of volunteering ahead of her.
"I also wanted to volunteer with the police force, but I think they might have thought I was too old," she laughed.
"I'm in the cafeteria. I get the food all ready … keep topping it up. It's like a conveyor belt when they all start coming in.
Despite doing the work for enjoyment, Rita says her efforts never go unnoticed.
"When you walk down the street, the Schoolies they thank you and want to give you a cuddle," she said.
And she says she's always ready to offer some sage advice on how to stay safe at Schoolies.
"When I went home the other night, there were two adult men offering these two girls some 'vodka out of the bottle'," she said.
"Don't just take anything anyone gives you, especially someone you don't know.
"And I'm not scared walking home or on my own, no I'm never frightened, because I've got my umbrella.
"It serves three purposes — for the weather, as a walking stick or if I need to hit them where it hurts most!"
Rita says she'll be back again at Schoolies next year to offer more words of wisdom.
And to those seeking tips on how to hold onto their youth, reminded them to lend a helping hand.
