After volunteering at Masterworks for nearly three decades it was only fitting that Myrtle Edness should celebrate her 103rd birthday at the place where she has devoted so much time.

Surrounded by friends, family and colleagues Mrs Edness enjoyed a special birthday party, complete with cake, as Masterworks thanked her for her efforts.

“I enjoyed it very much working there and doing what I was asked to do,” Mrs Edness said. “It was a good way to keep my mind going.

“It was great to get away from home and do something different both physically and for my mind.”

On turning 103, Mrs Edness added: “I’m just taking it all in stride. I’m enjoying myself and relaxing as that’s the best way to live.”

Mrs Edness was married to the late Arnold James Edness and for many years the couple owned the AJ Edness Grocery Store.

The mother-of-two remains an active member of Christ Presbyterian Church in Warwick and was also a dedicated volunteer with the Girl Guide organisation of Heron Bay.

She served in the Socratic Literary Club, of which she is a past secretary and president, and the Samaritan Lodge, where she served as secretary.

Yesterday afternoon, Masterworks hosted a special celebration event at its gallery in the Botanical Gardens to mark Mrs Edness’s birthday, only days after celebrating their own 30th anniversary.

Tom Butterfield, Masterworks founder and creative director, hailed Mrs Edness’s commitment to Masterworks.

“It’s an amazing statement to start volunteering at that age for what was at that time an unknown entity,” he said. “It says a lot that Mrs Edness would put her faith in us and that we were worth supporting.

“We would not have survived, especially in the beginning without the help of volunteers. The volunteers that we have had come through here have helped immensely and we have always tried to show our appreciation for their dedication and hard work by celebrating them, whether through volunteer parties or celebrating individual achievements such as Mrs Edness.

“Volunteers form a critical source for so many charities and without them we would lose many of these organisations.”