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Rick PisaturoLongest-living Australian cattle breeder comes from Italy
Country:
 Australia |
Content:
- A 95-Year-Old Australian Cattleman with Italian Roots
- The Unretiring Stockman
- An Italian Beginning and Australian Success
- Thoroughbred Horses and an Active Lifestyle
- Health Benefits of Working in Later Life
- Reducing the Risk of Dementia
- Staying Active for Life
- Intellectual Pursuits Keep the Mind Sharp
- The Passion for Numbers
- A Barbershop Legacy
- The Barber Who Won't Retire
- Inspiration from a Dedicated Life
A 95-Year-Old Australian Cattleman with Italian Roots
At 95 years old, Rick Pisaturo continues to work tirelessly on his farm, one of Australia's largest. Like his father before him, he intends to remain active until his final day. With slicked-back hair and a fit physique, Pisaturo emerges from his office to greet a film crew.
The Unretiring Stockman
Pisaturo is a full-time cattleman, often working until 10 or 11 pm on his property in Orchard Hills, Sydney. He readily accepts media requests to share his story, easily navigating his mobile phone despite his age. "I can handle that," he says. "I send emails, anything, on the phone."
An Italian Beginning and Australian Success
Born in Italy, Pisaturo arrived in Australia as a prisoner of war. In 1958, he established Mandalong Stud, a cattle breeding company. By 1968, his Shorthorn cattle had broken Australian records. Pisaturo's achievements in livestock earned him the Order of Australia.
Thoroughbred Horses and an Active Lifestyle
Currently, the "relentless worker" breeds thoroughbred racehorses. Pisaturo is part of a growing group of Australians choosing to defer retirement indefinitely. In the past decade, the number of Australians over 85 who continue to work has increased by 15%.
Health Benefits of Working in Later Life
The number of Australians living decades beyond retirement age is steadily rising. Life expectancy is increasing by an average of three months every year. Rafal Chomik, from the Centre for Research on Ageing, emphasizes that many people underestimate their extended lifespan.
Reducing the Risk of Dementia
Jo Robertson, a clinical neuropsychologist, states that part-time work can benefit older adults who are able. "It will help your health to not retire," Robertson says. She adds that "new, challenging, and complex activity" reduces the risk of dementia.
Staying Active for Life
Agreeing with Robertson, Pisaturo believes that work keeps him going. "You can't just sit around, or you'll have a stroke," he declares. His father continued selling wine and oil until he was 101 years old.
Intellectual Pursuits Keep the Mind Sharp
Alison Harcourt, an 88-year-old probability and statistics lecturer at the University of Melbourne, has taught for 55 years. She believes that if she were to stop her intellectual pursuits, dementia would quickly set in.
The Passion for Numbers
Strolling through the campus filled with teenagers and students in their early 20s, Harcourt stands out. But she wouldn't have it any other way. "To see these young people and watch them learning... expanding their mathematical knowledge," Harcourt says, "is just a delight."
A Barbershop Legacy
Tony Battaglia also understands how different the world was when he started his career. He has been a barber since the age of 15. When he opened his first salon in Griffith, NSW in 1957, a haircut cost just 10 shillings.
The Barber Who Won't Retire
Now 92, Battaglia has no plans to put down his scissors. His son, Frank, assists him with the business, and their "legion of regulars" continues to grow. Some of Battaglia's clients have been visiting his barbershops for six decades.
Inspiration from a Dedicated Life
A client named Ross Corcoran drives four hours from Canberra to see his favored barber. "It's very inspiring to see someone of Tony's years get up every morning and put on a shirt and tie," Corcoran says.
The old adage "Do what you love and you'll never work a day in your life" is exemplified by the senior Australians featured in this article. Their stories are a testament to the power of passion and the fulfillment found in remaining active in later years.
