Carinity Cedarbrook resident Gwen Cook has celebrated her 100th birthday.

Born in Balmain on 30 March 1920, Gwen was one of ten children – eight sisters and two brothers.

During her youth in Sydney, Gwen worked in the retail industry.

“Before I got married, I worked in a handbag shop then I met my future husband, Herbert Cook. After getting married I worked in a dry cleaners,” Gwen recalls.

The couple had three children – Kevin, Janice and Chris – and raised their family in Sydney.

When Janice and her husband moved to Queensland in 1989 to “give their family a better life”, Gwen found a new home on the Gold Coast.

“I lived in Palm Beach on my own in a one-bedroom flat. I used to go bowling, line dancing and loved playing tennis before I got too old to play,” Gwen says.

“In total I have five granddaughters, one grandson and have seven great-grandchildren – six boys and one girl.”

During her birthday celebrations Gwen enjoyed a birthday cake and received a letter from Queen Elizabeth II.

Gwen was also inducted into the ‘Carinity 100 Club’ for centenarians living in Carinity aged care and retirement communities across Queensland.

“Thank you to everyone who has made my 100th birthday so special today. I’m being looked after extremely well. My room is filled with balloons, cards, flowers, chocolates and love,” Gwen said.