There might not be anyone who could say they love Stockton more than Vera Redman.
She was born in the town, went to school there, married a Stockton boy, volunteered with multiple charities in the area and the only three places she's ever lived are in the suburb.
So there was nowhere else she could have celebrated her 100th birthday on Friday than in her beloved hometown.
Mrs Redman notched up the birthday feat surrounded by friends and family at PAC Wescott, where she has lived for the past four years.
But her affiliation with the Fullerton Street aged home began long before that when she became a founding volunteer at the facility more than 50 years ago. She volunteered in residential care but finished up serving in the home's community hub.
Mrs Redman volunteered at Wescott well into her 90s and was the last president of the organisation.
"She used to say she was going to help the oldies, but she was older than some of the oldies," her daughter Jill Simons said.
Mrs Redman also dedicated 30 years to Meals on Wheels where she was a cook and volunteered at St Paul's Thrift Shop in Stockton's main street from its inception.
The great-great grandmother said she'd "had a good life, and a healthy one" and put her longevity down to simple luck.
"I've never had a serious illness," she said. "No broken bones. I have a good family too."
Mrs Simons and her brother Peter Redman described their mother as an independent woman who loved her family and friends. As well as being a great-great grandmother to one, she also has eight great grandchildren and four grandchildren.
"You've almost got to book an appointment to come see her she's so busy," Mrs Simons said.
"Family has just been everything to her," Mr Redman said.
