It started almost 50 years ago, when the Bendigo local was diagnosed with kidney reflux.

After a failed operation to save her struggling kidneys, medical professionals predicted 17-year-old Lesley's kidneys would fail within five to 10 years.

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She spent the next six years on dialysis.

And at the age of 23, Lesley suffered kidney failure.

"I was working one day and my legs swelled up, so I rang the doctors and they told me to stop drinking," she said.

"I went down to Prince Henry's hospital and they got me ready."

However, Lesley's very own mother came to her rescue, insistent that she donate her kidney to her daughter.

"She was adamant she was going to do it and it was going to work," Lesley said.

"That was the type of person she was, she loved her family so much."

If Lesley hadn't received her mothers kidney she would have been on dialysis until organ transplants had been mainstreamed.

"At the time cadavre transplants had not come in yet, so I would have had to wait until it did, if I'd even made it that long," she said.

"September 16, 1980 turned out to be a very good day."

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Lesley's mother has since died, but her kidney lives on.

Lesley and her family will be celebrating the kidney's 100th year on Friday.

The family is going to meet at Avoca where Lesley's mum is buried.

"We really haven't all been together for over two years so we're all really looking forward to it," she said.

These days, at 64 years of age, Lesley says she's just happy to be here - and her kidney is in prime health for it's age.

"I had a CT scan a few years ago and asked the young fella that was doing it how my kidney was looking," she said.

"And he ummed and ahhed over it until I told him it was 99-years-old.

"Then he looked at me and went 'Oh! It's doing fantastic'."

Lesley and her husband are now retired and enjoy all the things a retired couple should.

"We travel a fair bit when we can," she said.

"I love gardening and reading, and I really love my house.

"I'm so grateful to just get on with it."

If you would like to register to become an organ and tissue donor, you can register at donatelife.gov.au

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