Ten years ago Thelma Crosby moved into the Papamoa Beach Village.

It wasn't a big move but it was big occasion because she and husband Gordon were pioneer residents. 'The second to be precise” she says.

Thelma Crosby with her son Stuart.

Yesterday, the blue and white balloons were up, the sparkling wine and cold Speights flowed, canapes were devoured and the music drifted across the courtyard as Metlifecare's Papamoa Beach Village celebrated.

Thelma is perhaps the village's most 'famous” resident. It's reflected fame. She's the Mayor's Mum first and Thelma second.

Thelma is a Papamoa born and bred girl who - with Gordon - owned the Top 10 Holiday Resort for 20 years. So when they handed over the reins to their son and daughter-in-law and wandered up the road to the Village – the nearby aged care and retirement facility – it should have been an easy decision and a short trip.

'I had heard about the village and wanted to go to a meeting to hear more. I had to drag Gordon along. Bless him. He's gone now but I still love him. After the meeting it was him who insisted we come live at the village.”

'Fellowship, security and friendliness – oh and wonderful staff. They are the things that matter to me now. And reading - and word games” says Thelma.

What it's like being a celebrity resident?

'Stop it,” she warns the reporter. 'But I am very proud of Stuart.” – proud of His Worship Stuart that is .

He was due to drop by to coax his mum out of her unit for the Village birthday party. 'I will say stop it Stuart. I am not going. Mother speaking.” This is the 86 going on 87-year-old Mayor's mother who has a mind of her own …

…and a sense of humour.

When the reporter asked if she would mind answering a few questions she replied 'Yes I would.”

But she didn't mind.

Is that Stuart a good Mayor? 'Well I think he is but I am not sure what other people think?

Is he a good son? 'Yes of course – I brought him up.”

Does he drop by often to see his Mum? 'Yes he does”.

She is very, very comfortable in her unit at the Papamoa Beach Village 'thank you very much”.

But something's missing. Gordon has been gone a couple of years, she misses him dreadfully but the walls are dripping with his images and the memories are forever strong.

Just down the road the music has been turned up and the 70 or so residents party into the second decade of the Papamoa Beach Village.