Gladys Nutbean had a surprise 100th birthday party on Friday but with aged care homes acting to slow the spread of coronavirus among vulnerable residents she and her family were on opposite sides of a pane of glass.

Mrs Nutbean had already cancelled high tea with her family at the Park Hyatt. But she is still allowed one relative to visit and was expecting her son Paul Nutbean for lunch in her room in Lower Templestowe.

Gladys Nutbean kisses her grandson Sam Nutbean through her window on her 100th birthday on Friday. Credit:Paul Nutbean

Instead, all four of her sons and 14 grandchildren walked around the back of the aged care home and surprised her from the other side of her window at 11.30am on Friday.

"She was emotional but she was just happy to see everybody," Mr Nutbean said.