Mrs Schneider, an Albury widow, celebrated with a party attended by her nephews, nieces and numerous friends at the Commercial Club, where she is a daily visitor.

She has lived opposite the club for 66 years but worked in Dean Street long before that in the original G.J. Coles store in the 1930s and 1940s.

During World War II her late husband, Jack, a bricklayer in civilian life, was serving with the 29th Infantry Battalion.

Coles was among many businesses affected by a shortage of male staff because of the war.

“They asked women staff to be managers and I was sent to Benalla to manage the Coles store there,’’ she said.

Before that, she worked at the Oliver Gilpin store in Dean Street “washing the windows, sweeping the floors, picking up the rubbish and burning it”.

Mrs Schneider was born Dorothy Kolb in George Street, Albury, at a time when Alfred Deakin was prime minister and King Edward VII was the monarch.

The king’s great-granddaughter, the Queen, was among those who sent birthday cards.

“It’s fine to be alive,’’ Mrs Schneider said as her relatives and friends joked about how young she looked.

“Only this week I’ve been feeling a bit tired.’’

Mrs Schneider gave away lawn bowls some time ago because she felt she was becoming a nuisance to other players, but still enjoys a game of canasta.