Carole and Neta still friends after five decades and in line for Canberra Gold Award for residents who have lived in the national capital for 50 years or more

Carole Batterham and Neta Nallo met in the mid-1960s while both working at Canberra's first telephone exchange at East Block in the Parliamentary Triangle.

They were two young girls both from the north coast of NSW - Neta from Murwillumbah, and Carole from Kyogle.

"Maybe that's why we hit it off," Carole said.

"I mean everyone was from somewhere else. Nobody had been born in Canberra.

"Canberra seemed to be filled with many migrants, especially young men, much to our delight."

Later they worked together again, on the switchboard at the CSIRO on Black Mountain. This black and white photograph was taken in the early 1970s when they were both pregnant. Carole went on to have two girls (including Victoria Schnabl who owns the long-running Canberra agency Victoria's Models) and Neta two boys.

"Our children are all around the same age," Carole said.

More than 50 years later, they are still friends.

And the pair are about to join an elite - but increasingly more common - group of people.

The Canberra Gold Awards are given to people who have lived in Canberra for 50 years or more.

This year's awards will be presented in mid-March by Chief Minister Andrew Barr as part of the Canberra Day celebrations.

If you or someone you know has lived in Canberra for at least 50 years, you can nominate them for a Gold Award until Friday, February 10.

The link for nominations is www.act.gov.au/CBRgold

Carole and Neta more than qualify for the awards.

Neta, 67, was a mere 15-years-old when she moved to Canberra in 1965. She lived in the YWCA building in Alinga Street before boarding with a family in Downer, the Collorettis. She married in 1969. She also has five grandsons.

"I worked on several switchboards Old Parliament House, Treasury, Custom and Excise. I also held a supervisor position at Defence," she said.

"The very first switchboard I operated was a 'Sylvester' (plugs and cords ) - great fun.

"During my whole work life I have always been involved in reception work and administration. I held a position at the ANU for seven years, CSIRO for three years and Commonwealth Motors for 32 years before retiring in 2014."

Carole, 71, came to Canberra in 1965 and continued to work in telecommunications before she married and had a family which now includes a grandson and grand-daughter.

"Afterwards, I worked in an administration role with CSIRO," she said.

"I love Canberra as I've seen it change so much over the years and do enjoy the four different seasons.

"I have many lovely friends, who also have been long-time residents of Canberra. And I'm still in touch with friends from the early days at East." Including Neta.

"We still get on well and have a few laughs and a few wines," Carole said.

(And don't forget to nominate someone for the Canberra Citizen of the Year. Nominations are open until January 31 at www.act.gov.au/CBRcitizen.)