A young spirit in Alf, 107 - Tamworth's oldest man

Mr Powell was greeted by an excited reception as his extended family at Bupa and his own children and friends watched as he trotted into the room confidently, his walking frame seeming like a mere accessory.

“I woke up very agitated because I didn’t get much sleep, and I didn’t know if I’d make it to the party without a nap ... but here I am,” he said with a smile.

Although his eyesight isn’t what it used to be, he still has an impressive knack for seeing the world quite plainly.

When comparing the differences between life in Australia today and when he was a boy, he mentioned the recent dismissal of the prime minister and joked that nowadays even the government has gone mad. 

“But that would be getting into politics – and we don’t want to talk about that, do we?” he laughed.

Mr Powell has logged a long list of impressive accomplishments in his life. 

He made a successful career working with media production and publishing distribution companies, before retiring what he now describes as a couple years too early. He married twice, fathered an adoring daughter and has grandchildren and great grandchildren.

“Four generations of my family and there’s not a dud amongst them,” he laughed.

Mr Powell speaks plainly and humbly of his achievement. He offers no explanation of how one can simply achieve a long life – he says everyone can rest easy knowing that there is no real method to follow.

But asked to provide some advice for younger generations who seek to live a prosperous life, he responded calmly: “I cannot summarise the knowledge learnt in a lifetime, especially not one as long as mine.

“All I know is there are good days and there are not-so-good days, you just gotta keep living.” 

He is a role model for the ability to enjoy the little things in life, even in the midst of great achievement.

His greatest are his cherished family and friends, but a young spirit shines brightly for a man of such years.