Alan Smith is looking good for 100

“I was born in Kyabram before I began life living on a soldier-settlement farm in Nanneella,” he said.

“My mum and dad came out from England just as World War I broke out, but my father had to go back home to be a part of the Australian Infantry before going to fight in France.

“And after the war, they made the move back here and travelled around, looking for somewhere to base themselves. They had family friends who had settled in Nanneella and they told my parents there was a small farm coming up for sale in town, so they took it."

Mr Smith spent more than 40 years living and working the land, learning the ropes from his parents for as long as he could.

After losing his mother to a brain aneurism when he was 12, he had to leave his primary school years behind to help his father on the farm.

“It was what had to be done, I didn't mind working,” he said.

“It was a lot of hard work, but I enjoyed a lot of it, except winter got a bit cold when we would get up early to milk.”

He had many great memories from his childhood, some that turned into high-flying adventures.

“My dad took me to Echuca one day when and we went on a short flight with Kingsford Smith,” he said.

“They were doing joy rides for just 10 pound and after an interesting and scary ride, I always said I would never fly again.”

And when the time came, he followed in his father's footsteps, to a degree.

“Because Dad was a war widow, I couldn't afford to leave the farm, but they wanted a group of us to train for the army,” he said.

“We had to go to Bendigo a few times a week to make sure we were ready if the war did make it to the home front.”

After his father's passing in 1966, Mr Smith took over the farm with his wife, Hazel.

“I loved the area, I couldn't bear to move away,” he said.

“I'd grown up there and we had so many wonderful neighbours we got along with quite well.”

As technology took over, he found new and improved ways to run his farm.

“I remember I bought my first farm bike about six years before we sold the farm and the first time I rode it around doing all the jobs I had to do, I clocked up 35km. Just goes to show how much walking you do around the farm,” he said.

During their time, Mrs and Mrs Smith became a well-known pair throughout the area, taking on roles such as president of the local Gem Club and being part of the Recycled Teenagers Club back in the day.

From there, the couple had two children, a daughter, Judi Collier, and late son Wayne, who had fond memories from their childhood.

“We loved life on the farm,” Ms Collier said.

“Mum and Dad gave us a great life and it's just great to see Dad get as far as he has.”

Despite a few health scares in the past few years and the loss of his wife in 1998, Mr Smith said he was feeling as fit as he could be.

“Dad had a heart attack in 2012 and he was brought back to life, it was truly amazing,” Ms Collier said.

And when asked what the secret to getting to the big milestone, Mr Smith said looking after yourself was key.

“I didn't drink too much and quit smoking when I could, but we always lived off the land, so clean living was a big part of it,” he said.

While family and friends were devastated they couldn't catch up in person for Mr Smith's special day, it was a great celebration all the same.

Mr Smith and a few friends had a small gathering at the Moama RSL where they enjoyed cake and a few good laughs.