It's not often that you get the chance to celebrate a century of life.
On Saturday, close family and friends were excited to join the celebration of Violet Brain's 100th birthday.
The celebration was complemented by letters of recognition from the Queen, members of Parliament including the Prime Minister, John Key andGovernor General.
Mrs Brain, who's actual birthday was yesterday, is a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.
After growing up on a dairy farm in Taranaki she moved to the Waikato to sharemilk with her husband, Oliver Lawson Brain, then on to Tauranga, where they owned their own farm.
She has been living in Tauranga for more than 60 years and up until last year was living on the farm in Maketu.
"I am very happy to have lived here, there's no doubt about that," Mrs Brain says.
"If I had to live anywhere I would still live here."
Mrs Brain can remember back to when the Mount was farmland and her son herded cattle down what is now the main road.
When she was only a little girl her family travelled to Papamoa for an isolated picnic, followed by camping on the main Mount beach.
Known by the whole family as Nana, Mrs Brain has seen three generations of children develop. The oldest of her 12 great-grandchildren is 17. She often reminds them of the days without television, when the only way to get to school was by walking or joining the siblings on the family horse.
Mrs Brain believes her secret to her long life has been her healthy outdoor farming lifestyle and a strong faith in the Lord.
"Life is like a vineyard. In growing through the process of pruning, I am now residing in the loving arms of my saviour the Lord Jesus Christ." Reader Contribution
