Known as ‘Queen Elsie’, Kiama resident Ms Heard spent her years helping others, which, she claims, is the secret to living a long life. 

“I think helping people gives you the joy of life," she said. 

“I've done some good in my life, and it's excellent.”

Ms Heard said that whenever she was given the opportunity she would try to help people. 

“If you can help anyone at anytime, do it because it's worth it,” she said. 

“It might mean much more stress for you, but you're helping someone and you can't do better than help someone.”

For Ms Heard, raising two young children as well as her son was one of her greatest memories. 

“I've reared other peoples children,” she said. 

“That was my life. I only had one son and he had two little friends who were going to be put into the boys home and I said 'oh no they're not' and took them to my home. 

“One was 12 at the time, and the other one was 14. I never had one ounce of worry with them. It was a lovely relationship." 

Over the past 100 years, Ms Heard said there have been some remarkable changes, including changes to housework. 

“Nowadays, life is so much easier,” she said. 

“In those days [when the boys were little], you washed and boiled the copper with your pot stick and that's how you keep your clothes clean. You had to boil up the copper with your shirts and you had to iron them too, so it was more difficult but I got through it.”  

Despite turning 100, Ms Heard said she doesn't feel it. 

“I don't feel any different really,” she said. 

“I don't feel 100 anyway. I enjoy everything and I'm well so that makes a big difference.”

Visiting the Kiama Leagues Club, where she is affectionately known as 'Queen Elsie' is among her favourite things to do. 

“I go to the Leagues Club for lunch every day," she said. “I just go there, have a lovely meal, pay for it and enjoy it. It saves me from being home on my own and it's nice to go out and meet people so that's why I go, so I think I'm doing alright. I'm very happy with my life."