Coris McLean turns 100 on Monday and celebrates in Tamworth surrounded by family and friends

Born in Bondi on August 5, 1919, Mrs McLean celebrated her 100^th birthday on Monday and puts her longevity down to one glass of brandy and dry in the evenings.

A kind and honest person who loves to stop and have a conversation with friends, Mrs McLean is hugely independent and always has been, her granddaughter Joanne McLean said.

"Coris loves fashion and is always looking her best wearing dresses, blouses and skirts - but never pants," she said.

"Many people would stop her in the street to compliment her outfits which she loved.

"Coris was a very talented dress maker, she would make wedding dresses and ball gowns from her home and made the majority of the clothes she wears."

Mrs McLean was born to Marjory Walters and Sydney Dacey.

Her mother, Ms Walters, was born in Tamworth in 1898 and the family lived in Marius Street and attended St Johns Church.

Mrs McLean remembers travelling from Sydney as a child and being picked up by her aunt Jemima in a horse-drawn buggy from the Currabubula Railway Station to visit her uncle Benjamin Walters' property.

She married William McLean in 1946 and lived in Croydon Park in Sydney where she had four children.

Later, she retired to Port Macquarie and moved to Tamworth to be closer to her family.

Her granddaughter Joanne McLean said her favourite thing about Mrs McLean is her elegance and style, and chatting about the good old days.

"She never misses any details," Ms McLean said.

"Coris fills her days with knitting, crossword puzzles, gossip magazines and Days of Our Lives.

Read also:

"Now living with my parents, she is an inspiration, having no illnesses only the odd ache or pain which is to be expected."

Mrs McLean celebrated her birthday at the Paradise Caravan Park on Saturday, attended by her children, grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Want more local news? Subscribe to the Leader to read it here first