On Wednesday, about a week after Ms Seears’ birthday, Vinnies staff held a surprise morning tea for her.

She was presented with a card and certificate of appreciation by the society.

Ms Seears moved from Cooma to Bega in 1953 and joined the town’s Vinnies in 1969, starting in the shop at the end of Auckland St.

“I joined because I was always brought up to help people,” she said.

“My mother always told me to help people in need and that it was better to give than receive.”

Ms Seears’ favourite memories of Vinnies are working with the store’s staff, especially manager Mary Nugent who’s “a fantastic person”.

She has seen a lot of changes over the years, including moving shops to where Vinnies is now, on Gipps St next to the St Patrick’s Primary School.

“We moved from a very small shop to a big shop and extended it a little further,” she said.

“Now there are quite a few different rules than there used to be too.”

She also remembered in the early days she would cut up rags with scissors to sell to garages.

Ms Seears has a heart condition and is going blind, but said she would keep on working at Vinnies for as long as she could.

She thanked everyone who attended her celebrations for their kindness and friendship.