That is the advice from 100-year-old Stella Brook, who recently celebrated her centenary.

Mrs Brook enjoyed two birthday parties in honour of her long life, one at her grandson Lawrence Howard's house and another with her friends of Bracken House.

A popular resident at Bracken House nicknamed "Brook the crook", what Mrs Brook lacks in height she more than makes up for in personality.

"Sometimes I think, "Am I really 100?" I am feeling just the same," she said.

"No good wanting things at my age - just my friends, that is what I need. I said no presents," she said.

At Bracken House Mrs Brook enjoyed a birthday sponge cake with friends, whizzing around with her walking frame to talk with visiting friends.

"I would like to say thank you to everyone and all my good friends and staff," she said.

"Everyone here is one big family."

Betty Bentick has known Mrs Brook for 50 years and remembers skiing and playing tennis with her long-time friend.

"Then that night we would go to the dance," she said.

"She is always happy. I have never seen her get angry."

Lawrence Howard, Mrs Brook's grandson, said there was still a picture of his grandmother dancing in Rawsonville Hall, which she was associated with for years.

"She is a good person, soft -hearted and loves animals," he said.

"I don't think I have heard anyone say a bad word against Gran."

Mr Howard hd fond memories of his grandmother on her Whylandra Crossing property where she used to run free-range poultry.

"Once all those houses down there were lived in by members of the family," he said.

"She used to go into town in a horse and cart. They were a common thing in the main street."