George McKnight does not actually turn 100 until tomorrow, but it certainly did not stop the chipper 99-year-old from taking advantage of the impending milestone with a glittering smile at the weekend.
Mr McKnight celebrated his birthday at Mossbrae Hospital in Mosgiel on Saturday with family and friends.
He has three children, six grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren, many of whom where there to help him celebrate with an afternoon tea.
His only surviving sibling - baby sister Joy Treweek (90), of Invercargill - was unable to attend the function because flooding closed State Highway 1 at Milton.
The World War 2 returned serviceman said it was hard to say what his secret to health and longevity was.
But his daughter Helen Crothers (60) said her father had always been active and "amazingly fit".
"He used to walk everywhere. People would stop in their cars and offer to pick him up. But he would always decline the offers.
"I think that's why he's lived to such a good age."
Mr McKnight worked at the freezing works in Burnside for 32 years and was a keen sportsman - particularly in cricket, hockey and running.
During the past few decades, he continued walking every day until very recently when he fell and broke his hip.
Mr McKnight agreed his life had been very active and he had worked very hard.
"I don't think hard work ever killed anybody.
"But there's a certain amount of good luck involved too," he said.
