At the age of 107, Edna Harling has lived through two pandemics and has some advice

Edna Harling was three years old when she lived through her first pandemic. (ABC Shepparton: Charmayne Allison)

Edna Harling can still clearly remember when the Spanish flu swept through her hometown of Kerang in northern Victoria.

It was 1918 and she was three years old, sleeping on a tiny bed in a tent in the hospital yard.

"There were tents all around the yard, because the hospital was full of patients," she said.

Ms Harling's older sister, who was six, was among them.

"I was lucky to get out," Ms Harling recalled.

"She didn't."

The influenza pandemic was one of the worst natural disasters in history, emerging in the final months of World War I and spread across the world by returning soldiers.

Edna Harling, pictured at five years old, grew up on her family's farm in Kerang. (Supplied: Victorian Government)

Catching coronavirus

Now 107 years old, Ms Harling has found herself facing another pandemic — COVID-19.

But ever since the death of her sister she has been keenly aware of the importance of vaccinations.

Last Christmas, after two years of on-and-off lockdowns at her Shepparton aged care facility, she caught coronavirus.

At the time, she was double vaccinated.

"I'm sure it helped me, because I wasn't that bad," Ms Harling said.

Ms Harling began playing lawn bowls in her 40s and played at Australia's highest levels. (Supplied: Victorian Government)

Centenarian urges vaccination

Three months on, Ms Harling has recovered and has since received her booster dose.

"And if another one comes tomorrow, I'll have that too," she said.

She is now urging others to receive the jab.

"They must be a help for us, because really and truly, we haven't gotten rid of the virus yet," Ms Harling said.

The Shepparton centenarian has certainly had an impact, with Victorian Health Minister Martin Foley singing her praises.

“I want to thank Edna for getting her vaccines and keeping herself and her friends and family safe from this deadly virus," he said.

“Edna has received her third dose of the vaccine and I encourage all Victorians to protect themselves from COVID-19 by getting their third dose as soon as they’re eligible.”

A long bowling career

As one of Australia's oldest people, Ms Harling has lived a long and full life, including 57 years of marriage with her love, Chris.

They travelled around Victoria for years while he taught in 14 different schools, before retiring in Shepparton.

The Harlings were foundation members of what is now called Shepparton Park Bowls Club. (Supplied: Victorian Government)

In that time, Ms Harling also enjoyed a lawn bowling career of 60 years, which saw her win state titles and become a member of the Australian team.

"When COVID-19 came, that ruined sport and ruined all the gatherings," she said.

"It was hard to work it all out ... when I was tiny [during the Spanish Flu], maybe it was similar.