Suffering from partial deafness and macular degeneration disease leaving her relatively blind, she is still writing and publishing books. 

“I just love writing, I always have, and really, if I do stop, I think that would be it,” Agnes explained. 

Agnes is one of the ‘Voices from the Valley - An anthology of stories and verse Vol 2’, a collection of poems and micro-fictions published by the Yass Valley Writers this year. 

Her author's voice has a richness in description and attention to the smallest of details, incorporating elements of metre and rhythm. 

“When you are partially blind there is a chance that you may become depressed," she said.

"I’m determined not to be like that. There are so many people out there far worse off than me so I just get on with things.”

Agnes creates her poetry and prose by speaking into a tape or memorising them. She recently travelled to Narrandera to perform her poems in the ‘John O’Brien Poetry Festival’ and was invited to recite one of John O'Brien's poems at one of the many functions. 

She's published many books over the years including a collection of children's poetry called ‘The circus around the moon’, which was sold for one of the many charities Agnes donates to.

She also has writing published in the National Library of Australia. 

“I used to be a regular contributor for the Yass Tribune which was always great fun,” she added.

Daughter Kate Cameron, who was a reporter for the Yass Tribune, is another contributed author for Voices from the Valley.

Agnes has three daughters, Patricia, Annette and Kate, along with many grandchildren and great grandchildren.

She was born in 1913, a year of tremendous optimism, when Australians took pride in their distinctive culture, high standard of living and sporting prowess. For a young woman growing up in the Yass Valley, it was a time of financial hardship and little opportunity - a challenge Agnes sought to tackle head-on. 

She attended schools around the Yass Valley and went on to teach at a primary school.

“When I was teaching it was around the great depression. I didn’t study at university, although I greatly wanted to,” Agnes explained.

“In Sydney they used to have these lectures at the University, so although there wasn’t much money I would save up to pay for my fare, board and lecture up there. I did all of this during my holidays from school.”

Agnes married in 1931 to Noel Patrick Skillin, or ‘Patty’, who suffered from chronic asthma. 

“He was refused from the army due to his asthma so he worked at different properties around the Yass Valley,” she explained. 

“His asthma got worse and we were forced to move into Yass because of the expenses on fuel. He worked as a chef for many years and he was offered a job at the Woodhills Grocery store where he worked for years.”

Patty passed away in 1986 at the age of 72, leaving his wife to her many passions. 

Agnes has been an active part of the Yass Valley community for centuries, her many achievements attest to her character.

Recognised with a certificate of appreciation on her 100th birthday by Vision Australia, Outstanding Service from the Royal Blind Society, Life membership from the Yass District Historical Society, Yass Valley Council's Community Service Commendation and an Honourable Life member of the Yass Music Club.

Although Agnes describes herself as ‘slowing down’ she recites her family anthology verbatim and is quick to respond to questions about future stories. With such a wonderful mind, there seems to be no sign of her losing traction.