Dolly vowed to never return to Lithgow after leaving in fourth or fifth class because it was too cold. 

“Not having good heating in those days you see, or having good jackets and having to walk in the snow all the time wasn’t very pleasant,” Dolly’s daughter Elaine Merlino said. 

But due to modern heating Dolly has found her way back to Lithgow, living in the area for three years now with her daughter Elaine.

And in what must be a testament to the good country air across the Central West, Dolly has become the region’s second century-maker in just a few days, joining Black Springs’ Sam Westwood in the 100 Club.

Dolly was baptised in St Paul’s Anglican church and her father use to work at the steel works in Lithgow, giving her strong ties to the community. 

Dolly has a cheeky sense of humour, keeping her daughters on their toes. When told that it was time to think about letting someone else do her vacuuming she had one answer for them. 

“No, it will make me lazy,” she said. 

Dolly walks around without a walker because it is “too bulky” so her daughters compromise with a walking stick. 

“We make sure if she won’t take the walker she has to take a walking stick outside with her, but then she goes outside and we see she hasn’t got the stick and we have to chase her with it,” Elaine said. 

To mark the special occasion they will be hosting a birthday party in Wentworth Falls with 65 people coming far and wide to celebrate the life of Dolly. 

 “We have people coming from Dubai and South Africa to celebrate with us so it will be a fabulous day,” Elaine said. 

With three daughters, eight grandchildren and “many many great grandchildren and even some great, great grandchildren” Dolly is feeling the love. 

“Her grandson took the week off work in Wollongong to come up and visit her and be here for the party,” Elaine said. 

People in the Lithgow community have all been supportive of Dolly and at church on Sunday they brought out a surprise cake. The minister asked if he could tell everyone how old Dolly was. 

“She said no, but he gave them a clue, saying it had three numbers in it, but people still seemed confused,” Elaine said. 

Elaine takes her mother to visit her sister for three months in Ballina during winter because it is a lot warmer there. 

Dolly had lived with her other daughter for five years and Elaine said she was glad that it was her turn. 

“We’re just sharing her around because we all love her so much,” she said. 

Dolly, who no one would guess had reached 100 years, says that she stays young by keeping active. 

“You just have to be happy and embrace the love,” she said.