The 102-year-old’s calendar is filled with outings and visits, with family, friends and the Salvation Army Church as constants in her life.

Ruth didn’t yearn to reach her 100th birthday, unlike her brother, who died seven months short of the milestone.

“When I got to 99 and four months, I looked up and said ‘I beat you,’” she said.

Ruth, who turned 102 on Friday, says she just keeps going. She attended a recent family gathering in Victoria with about 70 relatives.

"All we did is eat and talk,” Ruth who has called Port Macquarie home since 1978 and remembers the days of banana plantations, said. 

“It surely has changed,” she said about Port Macquarie.

Ruth has been a Salvation Army volunteer for decades, and plans to volunteer at a collection point at Settlement City Shopping Centre during this year’s Red Shield Appeal.

“I enjoy helping people and I give to the Red Shield Appeal as I feel the money is going to help people,” she said.

“I think the highlight of my life is watching the progress of my granddaughter [Miriam] and grandson [Philip] serving the Lord,” she said. “I am proud of them.”

Ruth at the age of 21 wed Les Gluyas and they enjoyed more than 20 years of married life before Les’ death.

The family grew to include one son, four grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren and nine great great grandchildren.

“I look back and I’ve seen so many changes,” Ruth said about the world. “Some, I think are good, but I’m not too up with the technology of today.” 

lisa.tisdell@fairfaxmedia.com.au