The birthday girl was the oldest at the nursing home, but she still showed astonishing liveliness as she stood up, walked up to the table, and cut herself a slice of cake.

Mrs Johnstone attributes her extraordinary state of good health to her tough upbringing and a lifetime of hard work.

"There wasn't much around when I was born," Mrs Johnstone said. "We didn't have any TV or pushbikes or anything, and we also had to work - but we were all happy."

She worked on a farm with the love of her life Stan Johnstone, whom she met at a local dance when she was 18 years old.

It was love at first sight for the pair, and they lived and worked together on the farm until Stan died at age 69.

"I never bothered looking for anybody else, because I wouldn't have gotten anyone as good as him," Mrs Johnstone said. "He was a good man, and very well liked in Griffith. He's still in my heart."

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After his death Mrs Johnstone continued her life of hard work - driving horses, sewing crops, and performing all the manual labour that needed doing.

It was a tough life, but Mrs Johnstone says she's always been blessed to be surrounded by people who love her - and she says that continues to be the case at Pioneer Lodge.

"I've got nice nurses, nice doctors, nice friends here," Mrs Johnstone said.

"I'm happy."

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