Born in a "little shed" in 1929 at Ingham on the banks of Palm Creek, Mrs Munns was the eldest in a family of nine children.

She fondly remembers times of growing up in sugar cane territory, walking to school and working alongside her father.

Mrs Munns arrived in Mount Isa in the early 60s with her husband, Laurie, whom she married in Brisbane.

And soon they began to build their own home which she still lives in.

She said they left Mount Isa and went to Darwin for eight years.

"But Cyclone Tracey blew us back and that's when I became a foster parent," she said.

Mrs Munns said the secret to living to a ripe old age is clean living.

"No gambling, alcohol or anything that brings you down."

She credits a loving close-knit family and God to her longevity.

"I'm a Christian and that is the main thing," Mrs Munns said.

Mrs Munns has seen Mount Isa change and grow, and now shares her stories with her 13 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.

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