Wisdom is said to come with age, and so perhaps there's none better to learn from than someone who's lived more than a century and is still going strong.

Evelyn Vigor, who celebrates her 109th birthday today, says that reducing stress and trusting in God is the best way to live a full, and long, life.

"If you can't fix it, forget it," she said today. "I just depend on the Lord to carry me through."

Brisbane born and bred, Mrs Vigor has outlived her husband of 50 years, as well as her three children and seven of her siblings. One of her brothers, however, is also still alive and shares her birthday - he turned 100 today. "I just wanted to see him get to 100, so it's worked out nicely for me," Mrs Vigor said of their celebrations.

According to local news services, the two have been unable to meet for sometime, but shared their birthday wishes via Skype.

Despite now being Queensland's oldest resident, Mrs Vigor did not have a healthy start to life. She was born six weeks premature in 1906 and it was thought unlikely she would live long - a doctor reportedly told her parents to simply "hope for the best". However, she went on to become a champion competitive horse rider: "I don't give up easily. I'm still here," she says.

She reportedly continued riding well into her 80s, and has broken both her hips and also survived breast cancer aged 102. Her philosophy remains sure: asked if she had advice for others wishing to emulate her long life, she replied: "If they leave it to the Lord, they'll be all right."

In an interview with Baptist charity Carinity several years ago, Mrs Vigor insisted that a strong sense of humour and holding fast to Christian values are important to help get through tough times in life.