LongeviQuest is pleased to confirm that the oldest living person in Australia, Ken Weeks, has become the oldest Australian man ever upon reaching the age of 111 years and 189 days. Weeks set the new male Australian record on 12 April, upon surpassing the age of Dexter Kruger (1910–2021).
His family shared that Mr. Weeks is aware of his achievement and expressed that he is “extremely proud of this milestone.”
Biography
Weeks was born in Grafton, New South Wales, on 5 October 1913, the first of five children born to Darcy Weeks and Dorothy Loxton. He grew up on a riverside farm located near Swan Creek.
In 1941, he married Jean McPhee (1911–1986) and had two sons Ian and the late Noel. Throughout his working life, Weeks had many occupations. During World War II, he applied to join the Royal Australian Air Force, but at a height of just 1.5 meters, his short stature led to him being turned away. Instead, he worked in construction, including laying roads and building wartime airfields at Evans Head. During this time, he also worked as a truck driver, petrol station operator, and employee at the Grafton Match Factory.
Later, Weeks became co-owner of a Chysler car dealership and repair business in Grafton. He then set up a radio and electrical sales and repair business, which he later replaced with a milk bar. He also ran a traditional fish and chip shop. Eventually, he worked as a school bus driver in the Clarence Valley before retiring in 1978 at the age of 65.
Lifestyle and Later Years
Throughout his life, Weeks stayed remarkably active. Even after turning 100, he continued walking into town to do his shopping. Eventually, he decided to buy an electric tricycle to make the trips easier. He lived independently in the same home for 65 years before moving into Whiddon’s Grafton residential aged care home shortly before his 105th birthday in 2018.
Healthy all his life, longevity runs in Weeks’ family — his two younger brothers, Alan and Gordon, both lived into their 90s. Upon turning 110 in 2023, Weeks became one of only seven known Australian men to have reached this milestone. At the age of 111, he remains active and can still walk without the aid of a cane. He credits his long life to staying active and to his lifelong habit of eating Heinz Baked Beans, which he consumes almost daily.
Longevity Records
Following the passing of 110-year-old Frank Mawer on 17 September 2022, Weeks became the oldest living man in Australia, shortly before his 109th birthday.
On 5 June 2024, following the passing of 111-year-old Olga Abate, he became the nation’s oldest living resident, at the age of 110 years, 244 days.
We extend our warmest congratulations to Mr. Weeks on his momentous achievement of becoming the oldest Australian man ever.
