Long-time Rochester resident Alice Prigg reached an extraordinary milestone, marking 100 years of a life well lived.
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The centenarian celebrated the occasion surrounded by family and friends, with loved ones travelling from across Australia's east coast to honour the milestone over the weekend.
Born in the small locality of Drummartin on July 6, 1926, Mrs Prigg completed her schooling in Elmore before marrying and moving to Rochester in her early 20s.
Nearly eight decades later, she remains proud to call Rochester home, having witnessed generations of change and weathered the town's challenges, including multiple floods.
Despite everything, she has never wanted to leave.
At 100 years old, Mrs Prigg continues to live independently in her Rochester home, cooking for herself and still driving when she needs to head into town.
Apart from having someone help with the gardening, she insists on looking after herself.
Her son Mark Prigg said his mother has always been very active and shows no signs of slowing down.
“She's always been very active and always kept very busy,” he said.
“That's probably one of the reasons she's still so fit.”
Mrs Prigg and her late husband had three children, Julie, Darryl and Mark and today, her family includes six grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
Reflecting on his childhood, Mr Prigg said his mother was ahead of her time.
“She was a very modern parent by the time I came along,” he said.
“If she couldn't beat us, she might as well join us... she was front and centre with all of our shenanigans.”
In her younger years, she was also known for her musical talents, having studied music in Bendigo and earning her qualifications.
She later picked up the piano accordion before joining a small band that played at dances throughout the region.
As a life member of the Rochester Football Club, Mrs Prigg remains one of its most devoted supporters, still attending every home game.
She is also believed to be the oldest life member in the Goulburn Valley League.
The weekend before her 100th birthday, the football club recognised her milestone birthday during its home match, inviting her to toss the ceremonial coin before the game.
The celebration was made even sweeter when Rochester recorded a win.
Although reaching 100 is a major achievement, Mr Prigg said his mother never imagined she would become a centenarian.
"She kept saying she wasn't going to make 100," he said.
"But we knew she would."
To mark the occasion, Mrs Prigg has already received congratulatory messages from King Charles III, along with letters from the Governor-General, the Premier and local representatives.
Mr Prigg said she had been "pretty chuffed" to receive the special acknowledgements.
To conclude her birthday celebrations, relatives gathered from across the country on Saturday, July 11, including some from as far north as Cairns gathered at the Rochester Football Club rooms to mark the milestone.