Steve Tsouklas arrived in Sydney by boat from Greece in 1964. As he came into the harbour he saw the construction site for the city's Opera House.

At 19 years old, he decided on the spot he wanted to work on the building and several years later his wish came true.

Now as his 70th birthday approaches, Steve says working on and in the building for the past 45 years has shaped his life.

He developed his own special solutions of olive oil and baking powder to care for the thousands of tons of concrete and bronze that make up the building.

Steve told BBC News why it is his life's work to look after the iconic structure he calls his "beautiful lady".

Video journalist: Katie Beck

Real Time is a series for the BBC News website in which ordinary people tell their own extraordinary stories.