The pair, who met as young women when they were first married, celebrated Ms Diener’s 100^th birthday in September.

Ms Diener said she didn't have any secrets to longevity.

“My life’s been very, very ordinary,” she said. “I always worked.

“It was a very nice long life anyhow.”

The two friends have seen each other through many happy times over the past 80 years, including the arrival of their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, as well as difficult times, including the loss of their husbands.

Ms Diener grew up in Launceston and married her husband Philip in 1940. They built a home, which they moved into when they were married, and where she still lives today.

Ms Elmore moved from Hobart to Launceston when she married her husband Walter after World War II, and moved into a house down the road.

“There were not many houses in our street at the time and we immediately made friends with Isabel and Walter,” Ms Diener said.

“Everything’s different now. I go into town and I don’t know where I am. Oh, that shop was there before and now it’s not and you don’t know where they are.

“You go up the street and look for a while and in a few months, they’re gone again. They come and go more now I think.”

The pair's children all grew up together and are still good friends today, she said.

“They used to be out in the front garden playing and they would go back-and-forth between the two houses.

“Both our families would often share many social outings and events together – Isabel and I were always very close friends. If our kids weren’t here, they were up there.”

Both their husbands served during the war and became great mates. Ms Elmore was working as a nurse at the Royal Hobart Hospital at the time.

"During the war, Hobart was the home port of the American ships and they’d have their leave and these young American chaps would be wandering around Hobart,” she said.

“And of course, the young girls were all chasing after them because the Americans, they were better looked after in one sense. They had plenty of cigarettes, where they got stockings from I don’t know, but they used to have pure silk stockings and we’d have them in as patients sometimes and they’d be handing these stockings around to different nurses, and chocolates and things.”

Ms Diener, who used to be a secretary, said being in Launceston at the time was very different.

"We didn’t get anything like that, because that was the capital and we were almost second rate.

“People just carried on. It didn’t seem to worry them such a great deal.

“I don't think anyway – I don't remember. It’s marvellous - you do forget things. It goes in one in and out the other.”

Ms Elmore said gardening was what she missed the most as the years rolled on.

“I can’t do it now and I used to love it.

“I’d go out there, my husband used to come home for lunch so I’d go out to the gate with him when he went, dishes and all still at the table and I’d start pulling weeds. I’d come in at half-past-three and I thought, why didn’t I do that before I went out?”

Both ladies are regularly visited by Bolton Clarke registered nurse Tanya Morrison.

"I'm very appreciative for all the assistance from Tanya,” Ms Elmore said. 

“I enjoy living in my own home and she is a wonderful nurse, I don’t know where I would be without her.”