Edith Sweeney celebrated her 100th birthday on June 24, surrounded by friends, family and staff of St Mary’s Villa in Darling Street.

Mrs Sweeney’s story is certainly one worth sharing, which she has done with her 15 grandchildren, 37 greatgrandchildren, 20 great-great grandchildren and six greatgreat-great grandchildren.

Born to parents Eva Weis and Joseph Bayliss in 1915, Mrs Sweeney grew up on the property Moreton Bay near Leadville where her father farmed 500 acres with sheep and few cattle.

She attended a small school on the property which is now part of the Gulgong museum.

Mrs Sweeney and her brothers attended school at Gulgong, but she left when she was 15 after finding work during the summer harvest season for the Gold family at Park View near Elong Elong.

This particular summer was when her romance blossomed with future husband, James Sweeney.

The love birds married on June 13, 1931.

They brought seven bundles of joy in to the world, Phylis, Kathleen, Colin, Joan, Reg, Neville and Helen.

In 1944, a move was made to Wattle Park at Dubbo, before relocating back to the Elong district in 1953 after the death of Mr Sweeney’s father.

In 1970, Mr and Mrs Sweeney said farewell to the farm, packed their bags and made their way back to Dubbo.

They enjoyed eight years of life in the community before Mr Sweeney passed away in 1978.

But, life did not end for Mrs Sweeney after losing the love of her life.

She busied herself keeping involved in many local organisations including, the Wagon Wheelers Club, Country Women’s Association, Civilian Widows, Combined Pensioners Association and the Dubbo RSL Memorial Club.

Mrs Sweeney enjoyed many coach tours with the Seniors Association, among those were three trips around Australia.

Happy birthday, Edith.