Rizna Mutmainah
Retirement Life

Australia's oldest man celebrates 110th birthday

Ken Weeks has lived through two world wars, the Great depression and two pandemics, but the senior remains unstoppable as he marked his 110th birthday. 

The father of two, who was born in Grafton in 1913, is believed to be Australia's oldest man, and having been through it all, there was only one way to celebrate his birthday - with loved ones and 300 customised cans of Heinz baked beans. 

The senior has been devouring baked beans for "more than 30 years", and in honour of his 110th birthday, his friends at the Whiddon aged-care facility organised a special surprise. 

"We reached out [to the company] and said, 'Can you provide us with a pallet of baked beans?' Because that's something he tells us has fuelled him for 100 years," Whiddon chief executive Chris Mamarelis told ABC News

"And to their credit they've gone and created this wonderful label with his face on there, so that's added this special touch to the day."

The custom cans are not the only special gift as Ken also received  a letter of congratulations from King Charles.

"On my 100th birthday I got one from the Queen," Ken said.

Ken also celebrated his birthday with his extended family, and when asked what his secret was to living  a long life he simply replied: "Oh yes, I've always been active." 

"All his places had stairs, so he always used to climb two steps at a time and he's always been so active," his grandson Jason Weeks confirmed. 

The senior also lives a very clean life, according to his son Ian Weeks who said his father doesn't drink smoke and eats "just a fairly plain food." 

Ian also said that despite his dad being in such good shape, there are still signs of his age. 

"I wouldn't count on more than a year at a time," Ian said.

"But he's still very fit and active, it's just that his hearing and eyesight have gone a bit."

The centenarian has five grandchildren and several step-grandchildren. 

Images: Nine

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Retirement Life, Birthday, Centenarian, Oldest Man, Lifestyle