https://longeviquest.com/2025/10/ken-weeks-australias-oldest-person-turns-112/

Ken Weeks, Australia’s Oldest Person, Turns 112

Kenneth Loxton “Ken” Weeks, the oldest living person in Australia, is turning 112 today, becoming the first Australian man ever to do so.

Mr. Weeks marked this historic birthday with a family party held at his Whiddon Grafton care home, where he has resided since 2018. At the celebration, he was presented with a special gift and plaque recognizing his record-breaking longevity. His milestone birthday also sparked a global outpouring of well-wishes, coordinated by LongeviQuest’s Ben Hinchliffe and Georg Fürholzer. These wishes were specially printed and bound by the team at Whiddon Grafton and presented to Mr. Weeks. He and his family are said to be “chuffed to bits” and deeply thankful for all the birthday greetings.

Whiddon CEO Chris Mamarelis said, “Ken became a part of the Whiddon family at 105, and today, at 112 Ken stands as Australia’s oldest living person. It’s an honour to celebrate this moment with him and to have him as a cherished member of our community".

Biography
Kenneth Loxton Weeks was born on 5 October 1913 in Grafton, New South Wales, the first of five children born to Darcy Edwin Weeks (1887–1965) and Dorothy Loxton (1886–1970). He grew up on a riverside farm near Swan Creek. In 1941, he married Jean McPhee (1911–1986), and together they had two sons, Ian and Noel (1943–2020).

Throughout his remarkable life, Mr. Weeks held many occupations. His first job was as a farm boy; he once recalled that his task was “to go out before dawn to get the cattle up.”

As a child.

With his younger brother, Gordon.

During WWII, he applied to join the Royal Australian Air Force, but at a height of just 1.5 metres, his short stature led to him being turned away. Instead, he worked in construction, laying roads and building wartime airfields at Evans Head. He drove his own tip-truck, sometimes loading it with heavy gravel using only a hand shovel. During the war, he also developed an interest in radio and electronics, even installing a tall TV antenna on his roof to receive a patchy signal before his town had local reception.

After the war, he became co-owner of a Chrysler car dealership and repair business in Grafton before setting up a radio and electrical sales and repair shop, which he later replaced with a milk bar that he ran with his wife. He also ran a traditional fish and chip shop. Eventually, he worked as a school bus driver in Clarence Valley before retiring in 1978 at the age of 65.

Throughout his life, Mr. Weeks had a keen interest in boats and boatbuilding. He built a “VS” class sailing boat in the garage of his grandmother, who lived next door to him. Ken enjoyed racing this boat with other enthusiasts, becoming a local champion in the 1940s and 1950s. He then built a 38-foot fishing boat with the help of a friend, which was launched in 1957. Ken also liked to tinker with small trucks, converting some into camper vans. After his retirement, he and his wife took several trips up and down the East Coast of Australia in these vehicles.

After his wife’s death in 1986, following 45 years of marriage, Ken remained active and engaged in life. He continued walking into town to do his shopping until the age of 100, when he eventually decided to purchase an electric tricycle to make his trips easier. He lived independently in the same home he had owned for 65 years, a house once belonging to his great-grandfather William (1829–1925). Mr. Weeks chose to move into a retirement home shortly before his 105th birthday in 2018.

Longevity

Healthy all his life, longevity runs in Mr. Weeks’ family, with his siblings Marjory, Alan, and Gordon all living to at least the age of 90. Mr. Weeks and his brothers attended Grafton High School’s centenary celebrations in 2012. At the age of 98, he was the oldest surviving male pupil and was invited to cut the cake at the special centenary event.

When he reached 100 in 2013, Mr. Weeks’ son Ian said, “No smoking, no drinking, and lots of walking did it, I think.” Mr. Weeks was known for being both physically and mentally active; until recently, he managed his own shares and stocks and completed his own tax returns using a computer—a skill he taught himself.

Upon turning 110 in 2023, Mr. Weeks became one of only seven known Australian men to have reached this milestone and to be recognised as a supercentenarian. In April 2025, upon surpassing the age of Dexter Kruger, he became the Oldest Australian Man Ever.

At the age of 112, Mr. Weeks remains active, regularly taking walks around Whiddon and keeping abreast of what’s happening in his home. He maintains that the secret to his long life, along with staying active, is his lifelong habit of eating Heinz Baked Beans, which he still enjoys almost daily.

Across his 112 years, Ken has seen it all and is proudly still going strong. His granddaughter Eunice, speaking on behalf of Ken and his family, said, “My Grandpa’s life reflects the Aussie battler – his determination, ingenuity and hope are inspirational. He has a sustaining faith in God. We love him and are happy to be his family.”

Happy 112th Birthday!