But being cut off from friends and family during a global pandemic has been one of the most challenging.

Mrs Nicolson celebrated her 100^th birthday on Tuesday.

She is in great health, doesn't take any medication and before COVID-19 enjoyed regular outings.

That's why it's been a difficult 12 months.

"It's been hard," she said.

"I haven't been able to go anywhere, that's the trouble."

Before the first lockdown she used to attend church activities, regularly enjoy afternoon tea with friends and visit the gym at Lyndoch each Friday.

Mrs Nicolson (nee Ritchie) grew up in Warrnambool. She was one of five children.

Sadly, her mother passed away when she was six and her father struggled to take care of the children and work at Nestles.

Mrs Nicolson, who attended Warrnambool State School, was sent to live with the Smith family at Mepunga when she was nine.

"In the late '20s there was no financial assistance for a father of five," Mrs Nicolson's son Tony said. She went to live with Smiths where she helped milk cows and later took care of the younger children.

When she was older she met Keith Nicolson, who lived about two kilometres away. The two became friends and were married on March 15, 1944.

They were parents to Sandra Hackett, Carolyn Henderson, and Glenton and Tony Nicolson.

Mrs Nicolson said her husband played football for Nirranda and she would sometimes watch the games.

Tony remembers his mother always being a hard worker. Her children have fond memories of growing up on the farm and playing jokes on their grandfather - Keith's father.

"We would pile up bricks behind his car and he would get in to go to the pub," Mrs Henderson said.

"He would rev it and it wouldn't move," she laughed.

Mrs Nicolson's daily routine would consist of helping her husband milk the cows, getting the children ready for school, milking the cows in the afternoon and cooking dinner.

She was delighted to receive a card from Queen Elizabeth II wishing her a happy birthday, along with flowers, dozens of cards and phone calls on Tuesday.

Mrs Nicolson is now the proud grandmother of eight and great grandmother of eight. She still bakes, with her specialties including sponge cake and Anzac biscuits.

Mrs Nicolson will celebrate the milestone with about 70 people on Sunday. She is looking forward to enjoying a slice of cake and a piece of chocolate - her favourite indulgence.

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