Ugo and Karen have had tough lives and can now take it easy in retirement. Photo: Oliver Jacques.
Ugo Fattore was diagnosed with leukaemia on 11 September 2001, just as the world watched planes crash into New York’s Twin Towers. Doctors told him that – at best – he’d live another eight years.
His partner, Karen French, refused to accept that prediction.
Twenty-five years later, the Griffith couple are still making each other laugh and finding new adventures.
Ugo, 73, has worked as a builder, entrepreneur, gravedigger, panel beater and mechanic. Karen, 68, has had careers in hospitality, car sales and real estate. Both were born and raised in Griffith, spent time living elsewhere, but eventually found their way back to the town they love.
Between them they have 14 grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and five much-loved cats.
Last year they moved into Lincoln Lifestyle Griffith Hill, a gated over-50s community featuring a heated indoor pool, bowling green, pickleball court, putting green and shared community spaces. They’ve quickly settled in, made plenty of friends and embraced village life.
We caught up with the pair for our regular Life Lessons series to chat about their relationship, Griffith, growing older and what they’ve learned along the way.
How did you two meet?
Karen: I sold Ugo a Mazda V2600 dual-cab ute in 1997. A year later, Ugo was having a drink with his mates at the Griff Hotel. I walked over and asked if he remembered me.
Ugo: She picked me up.
Karen: In the end, I ended up with the car, the repayments, the owner and all the problems. We still own the car today. We’ve now been together for 28 years.
Ugo is thinking of becoming an Uber driver. Photo: Supplied.
What’s the secret to a successful long-term relationship?
Karen: Copious amounts of alcohol. Seriously though, it’s about me being vigilant and him being honest when he’s not feeling well. Our cat Chardonnay also tells us when he’s not well. I’m basically a crazy cat, wine-drinking lady.
Does Karen nag?
Ugo: Hell yeah.
Karen: I’m a very good nagger. But I know his body better than he does. I know when he’s getting sick, and he’ll tell you my nagging has kept him alive.
Why did you choose not to get married?
Karen: He’d already been married twice, I’d been married once and we’d both had a few de facto relationships. We just thought, why bother?
How have you coped with the stress of Ugo’s illness?
Karen: We make our relationship funny because we’ve had a lot of stress. Some years have been good and some years have been terrible. The past five years have been especially hard because he’s spent so much time in hospital. But, touch wood, 2026 has been a good year so far. Maybe moving here has helped.
Why did you move to Lincoln Lifestyle?
Karen: We had an old house on a big block in Merrigal Street and planned to subdivide it, but the development approval took forever. We had to keep spending money on the property while Ugo’s health was declining, so we decided to sell the whole lot. We wanted somewhere with no maintenance, very little gardening and still enough backyard for my five cats.
Ugo takes a dip in the pool via the special chair lift. Photo: Oliver Jacques.
Do you enjoy living here?
Karen: In summer we sit under the front pergola and the neighbours are always stopping to ask if we’d like to join them for drinks. We’ve had plenty of happy hours.
We’ve met so many lovely people and really enjoy the lifestyle. The indoor pool has a lift chair that helps get Ugo into the water, so it’s great therapy for him.
Ugo: We also have a stretch-limo mobility scooter – the only one in Griffith. I’m thinking about becoming the Uber driver for the other residents.
What period of your life do you remember most fondly?
Karen: Running our bed and breakfast, Hidden Oasis, in Yoogali. We had fantastic cover bands from all over Australia, parties and guests from around the world. We even built a Hard Rock Cafe-themed pool area with a jukebox and pizza oven. At one stage we hosted the Australian women’s jelly wrestling team while I was away on a trip. I told Ugo there’d better not be any jelly in my bed when I got home.
The B&B the couple owned in Yoogali. Photo: Supplied.
What’s one thing you’d change about Griffith?
Karen: The medical services. I’m all for separating from the Murrumbidgee Local Health District. We shouldn’t have to travel to Wagga for orthopaedic treatment.
Ugo: Everything seems to be controlled from Wagga; they stop Griffith getting the specialists we need.
What’s a piece of advice you’d give a young person?
Ugo: Get an education, it’s very important; and follow your dreams.
Karen: Agreed. I left school early and it’s the biggest mistake I ever made. Since then I’ve never stopped learning because I’m always thinking about what I can do next.
What’s the best thing about Griffith?
The friendships. We’ve lived in plenty of places over the years, but like the channel water, we always seem to find our way back. We love this town.
More information on Lincoln Lifestyle Griffith Hill can be obtained on its website.
