Rita turned 103 last Wednesday and the milestone was made even more memorable with a sit down chat with former NSW Premier Mike Baird.

Mike Baird became the new CEO of HammondCare on September 1 replacing Dr Stephen Judd who stepped down after more than 25 years in the role.

Mr Baird was visiting Scone to meet staff, residents and clients across HammondCare's services in town, and dropped in at Strathearn Village, Strathearn House, Strathearn Villas and the new HammondCare At Home office on Kelly Street.

A highlight of the visit was the opportunity to meet Rita and her extended family at her HammondCare Scone Strathearn independent living unit and congratulate her on her many years of life.

Describing her life in the region spanning over 100 years, she said that growing up, one of the strengths of the community was that everyone would help each other.

It was never a case of having to deal with problems on your own, rather others would always step in to assist.

Amazingly, she has recollections of the Spanish Flu pandemic of about a century ago that hit Australia and also Scone.

"My father drove a makeshift ambulance and I know we weren't allowed to kiss him. He could only drive up to the gate. Lots of people died," she said.

Now she is living through a second pandemic and this was reflected in her 103rd birthday celebrations which were carefully socially distanced.

When asked her secret to a long life, she said "good clean living." And lemons.

"I've always loved lemons, I used to eat them like apples. Now I always have lemon in my tea, it keeps me healthy."

Born in 1917, Rita has lived in Scone her whole life, only spending some time away when she cared for her elderly grandparents.

In 1937, Rita started a job as a domestic for the Smiths, on their wheat farm, just north of Scone.

She met her future husband Wal there, and they were married in 1938. They had five children before Wal passed away in 1958.

Rita is the mother of five children, four of whom with partners were present for her 103rd birthday.

Rita also has 14 grand children, 24 great grand children and 17 great great grandchildren, although she admits she has lost count.