FROM working in aircraft production during World War II to painting for the Governor General, Wellington Point's Jean Melvin had lot to celebrate at her 100th birthday party on Thursday.
Born in Sydney on March 12, 1920, Mrs Melvin grew up during the Great Depression but had happy childhood memories including of her family gathered round the piano for a singalong.
"You had to scrape for every penny (but) her father luckily had work in a bookstore company," friend and fellow Fernbourne Grove resident Ricky Waters said.
Mrs Melvin secured her first job in an advertising company, earning 17 shillings and six pence a week, before going on to gain a diploma to teach art from East Sydney Tech College.
She later studied at the Sydney Royal Art Society.
During World War II, she worked at the Department of Aircraft Production, which built Beaufort Bombers and fighter planes.
It was during the war that she met her future husband, Noel, a classical baritone singer.
"She doesn't know whether she fell for the man or the voice," Mr Waters said.
Mr Melvin later won the prestigious singing competition Mobil Quest and often sang with Dame Joan Sutherland.
He died in 2003, aged 78.
The pair have two children, seven grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren, with another on the way.
Along with raising her family, Mrs Melvin was building a successful art career for herself which has seen more than 2000 of her pieces sold.
"Her paintings are of typical Australian scenes," Mr Waters said.
"During one exhibition, she showed a painting which she loved and didn't want to sell, so she put a high price on it.
"Guess what? It sold."
One of her paintings was presented to then-Governor General Sir Zelman Cowen.
"Lately some of her paintings have come up for auction from deceased estates but she can't afford to buy them," Mr Waters said.
Mrs Melvin celebrated the milestone in the company of family, friends and well-wishers at Fernbourne Grove with a bottle of champagne and a chocolate cake.
Despite her new centenarian status, friends and family said Mrs Melvin had the vitality of someone decades younger.
"Everybody asks me what is my secret," Mrs Melvin said.
"When I rang up the 100 Club, they said their mantra was when people ask, they just say 'keep on breathing'."
