Balclutha resident Audrey Munro celebrated her 100th birthday on Friday, surrounded by her four children, 10 of her 11 grandchildren and more than a few of her 27 great-grandchildren.
"I just feel overwhelmed," Mrs Munro said.
"It’s just so lovely to have so many here."
With impeccable timing, the royal card arrived for Mrs Munro to congratulate her on her important milestone.
"It was quite nice really. I don’t suppose she really knows who I am, but it was nice to get anyway."
Mrs Munro came to New Zealand from Shillingford, England, at the end of World War 2 with her Kiwi husband.
George Finlay Munro was a pilot during the war and began building a life with Mrs Munro in Balclutha in 1945.
While she loved it now, the war bride was not particularly fond of the area when she first arrived.
"I didn’t like the place when I came, and I didn’t think I would stay. But I’ve always liked the people," she said.
She said she might be one of the only war brides left in New Zealand.
"Definitely of those who came to Clutha."
