The former queen of the green has been bowling with the Cooma Country and Bowls Club since women were first allowed on the green in 1956.

Since that time Mrs Stokes has seen a number of changes at the Club and on the Monaro.

Mrs Stokes was born long before the Snowy, out lived two husbands, had two children, four grandchildren, three great grand children and recently welcomed one great, great, great grandson.

So what’s the secret to this longevity?

“Good genes,” Mrs Stokes said.

“My mother lived to be 92.”

Mrs Stokes said bowling kept her fit and her mind sharp. Her daughter Melba Tucker said it was Dr Steiner at Bombala Street Surgery that keeps her going.

“I live in my own house and do all my own cooking, washing and ironing,” Mrs Stokes said.

Mrs Stokes is adamant she does not like social bowls, but lives for a good game of competition bowls.

“I like the competitiveness of a good close game of bowls,” she said.

“But I don’t like to get beaten.”

Mrs Stokes was recently recognised for her years at the club, but the token simply adds to her collection of trophies and badges, some of which she keeps in her purse.

Mrs Tucker said her mother ran a tight ship at home while she was growing up and that there was not much fun to be had, but she now makes up for that by playing bowls.

Mrs Stokes has a different version of course.

“Well, they don’t have any police records so that must have been right,” she said.