The Albury-based hairdresser has been cutting hair and seeing "generations come through" for 50 years.

And despite an initial shock at the celebration her colleagues at Bliss Hair and Beauty Lavington had planned for her yesterday, including a visit by The Border Mail, Ms Slattery said it was "quite an accomplishment".

"50 years is a long time to do anything and it has been such a lovely profession, especially when I had my two family I was able to come back to work part time and that was really nice," she said.

"I left school one day and started work the next and have been hairdressing ever since.

"I was at multiple different salons and I think my favourite part of the job is seeing people come in not feeling that great about themselves and you can do something about it.

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"They leave feeling good and that is the best part as well as seeing your clients literally grow up before your eyes.

"How could you not love the job."

Ms Slattery was 16 years old when she left school and took up an apprenticeship.

She has been at different salons around Albury for the past few decades as well as spending two years in New Zealand.

Ms Slattery said although she is now "66 and a half" she will continue to do what she loves while she can.

"I had 12 months off a few years ago and I wasn't sure I would come back due to my health, but knowing I can just do two mornings a week that really made the decision easy," she said.

"You do get sore feet and I have a pretty sore shoulder sometimes but that is what you get being on your feet all day.

"My colleagues are beautiful and I would encourage anyone who wants to get into hairdressing to do so."