KEITH Dawson sat in the middle of the room at the Bellevue Gardens Retirement Village with a cap which read "102 and not out".
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He has only been a resident at the village for the past seven years, but the number of birthday well-wishers in the room indicated a much loved character.
When asked what the secret was to longevity, which has seen him progress beyond the magical century mark, he replied in a manner which was typical of his happy-go-lucky persona.
"I set myself a goal of reaching 100 and if I didn't make it I was going to kill myself," he laughed.
Not only has he got there, he's raced past it.
"The secret is also having good health and leading a lifestyle which allows me to get outside.
"You always need to laugh because it's the best sort of medicine."
He had his first flu shot last week and had been suffering from the after-effects.
"I had managed to stay away from the doctors until then," he laughed.
While he's a proud New Zealander he said he had settled in a picturesque part of Australia on the Mid-North Coast which he has called home for the past 40 years.
"When I moved here with some friends I saw a house and then bought it," he said.
"It's the only place in Australia I want to live, but I do try to get to New Zealand every year."
He returned to his homeland just a fortnight ago.
With his three daughters Denise Kewin, Ann Grant and Kath Taylor he said family had played an important role in his life.
"My family have always been very protective of me, but that's not to say they didn't let me do anything. I've done some pretty mad things but they've always encouraged me," he said. "I've had a very happy life and I've set a goal to reach 110."