It's only once you could have the chance to celebrate a century of living, and in Warrnambool's Kath Harney's case it was among most of her 78 direct descendants.
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Surrounded by family and friends Mrs Harney said the key to a long life, put simply, was "happiness".
"Happiness is the trick, I've always been happy. I've never drank or smoked, and I've had a very good family and a very good husband," she said.
Born in Colac in 1919 and schooled in Panmure, Mrs Harney recalled riding a pony to classes, and winning the Panmure district league's netball best and fairest 82 years ago.
It was that same passion for sport that introduced her to husband Pat while she kept score of a district cricket game.
The couple spent most of their near 70 years of marriage living on a Garvoc dairy farm, where Mrs Harney still lived well into her 90s after Pat died.
Mrs Harney fondly remembered taking her children to watch games of cricket and she was even photographed with a miniature cricket bat reading "not out 100", signed by the 1948 Australian cricket team to mark her birthday.
Her daughter Therese Moloney, one of six of Mrs Harney's children, said she looked up to her mum.
"She has been a great example to follow. She has a positive attitude about everything, and doesn't say a judgmental thing about anyone," Ms Moloney said.
With 27 grandchildren, and 45 great children, Mrs Harney said it felt "wonderful" her family had gathered to celebrate her milestone, which included a cuddle with youngest 16-month-old great grandchild Bella Dwyer.
"I was just lucky," Mrs Harney said.
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