And there has been a lot that has changed - and that he has seen - in the last 100 years.

One hundred years ago the average life expectancy for men was just 47, only eight per cent of households had a telephone and fuel was only sold in drug stores.

Crossword puzzles, canned beer and iced tea hadn't been invented. And that's just the start.

The almost-centurion was very matter-of-fact when asked what the secret was to his longevity.

"Interesting work, always stay busy, keep healthy and eat good food," he laughed.

And he's had plenty of that over the years because a week after his 100th birthday he will celebrate his 65th wedding anniversary with wife Mavis.

"She's looked after me well," he said.

Before he met his wife, Clarrie had experience in the media after being a Melbourne representative for the Sydney Morning Herald back in 1965.

And before that he spent many years as a motor mechanic - something he concedes has undergone the most transformation in the last 50 years.

"Back in those days you had to repair everything," he said.

"These days they don't repair ... they replace."

One of the lasting memories he has of his early years was his time spent in World War II in a motor mechanic's workshop, although he tried not to remember it.

"What I do remember is the bloody war," he said.

"You do remember it, but it's one of those things you'd like to forget."

He spent six years in the army, finishing in 1945 before he met Mavis after returning from the war.

They married in 1951.

He then moved to Port Macquarie in 1976 after one of his mates needed some help starting a local business.

"Him and another bloke didn't have much business experience so they asked me if I could help them out," he said.

"I'd gotten my experience in my time managing modern magazines in Melbourne so it was a good fit."

Mr Levy said after spending 40 years in the Hastings he was starting to feel part of the community.

"I'll be a local next week," he laughed.

"Port Macquarie has everything here ... I love my fishing and there's plenty of places to fish although I can't do it anymore."

But it hasn't always been smooth sailing for Clarrie and his family after he had a bad fall two years ago where doctors were unsure if he would make it.

"I was lucky to get out of it because I had bleeding on the brain," he said.

"They told me if it happened again I won't get up."

He was looking forward to the next year of his life with his sights already set on his next birthday.

"The next goal? 101," he said.

"I'm in good shape now, I've got good health and the only thing I really suffer from is vertigo."

He said he wasn't sure what was planned for his birthday at the end of the month as it remained top secret.

"My daughter is in charge of the party which will be a double celebration for our wedding anniversary so it's going to be a good one," he said.

"It'll be a better one at 200!"