This post was submitted by Dawn Schopp.

A Murray Bridge resident has celebrated her 102nd birthday with morning tea at her retirement village.

Greta Briggs was born on March 11, 1920 to Percy and Myrtle Metcalf, of Booborowie.

Her first job was at the Afoulters’ shop, local carpenters and builders, where she earned the princely sum of 10 shillings a week.

She met Sam Briggs when he came to work at the shop; they were married on March 22, 1942 and had three children: Lorna, John and Dawn.

She only saw her grandparents twice a year when she was younger: at the Jamestown Show in October and at Christmas, when all her aunties would bring Christmas cakes and display them on the long dining table for a competition.

She and Sam worked many jobs over the years, dairying, running a market garden and keeping poultry for eggs.

When asked about the secret to her longevity and good health, she replied “meat, three veg and lots of hard work”.

Her usual breakfast is apple juice, Weetbix, toast and a cup of tea.

Her typical day consists of unlocking the hall, breakfast then, depending what day it is, bingo on Monday, exercises on Tuesday, morning tea and craft on Wednesday, a spare day on Thursday, shopping on Friday, cards on Saturday and more spare time on Sunday.

Among all this she fits crocheting, knitting and making coat hangers, hand towels, jigsaws, cards and more.

Did she ever smoke?

Definitely not.

Did she drink?

Yes, a glass of white wine at night.

If she could change one thing about the world, she said – after some thought – she would take away all friction and wars so everyone could live in harmony.

When asked if there was anything she wished she had done in life, she said she would have liked to become a nurse – something she had always dreamed of doing.

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