Oldest Aussie turns 113 and swaps messages with world's only older man in incredible shared birthday coincidence

Australia's oldest living person has celebrated his 113th birthday on the same day as the only man in the world older than him, with the two exchanging birthday messages.

Ken Weeks, from Grafton in northern New South Wales, marked the extraordinary milestone on October 5, the same day João Marinho Neto, from Maranguape, Ceará, Brazil, turned 114.

The two men share a birthday and the distinction of being the world's two oldest living men, despite being around 14,000 kilometres apart.

Mr Weeks, who lives in Grafton at Whiddon aged care, was thrilled to get a special message from Mr Neto and recorded a video in return, where he thanked him and wished him a happy birthday.

'Ken's 113th birthday is an extraordinary milestone,' Whiddon chief executive Chris Mamarelis said.

'But for us, it was never about the number. It's about Ken, and the life he has lived to get here.

'Today, he connects with the only man on earth older than him. Two men, born a year and 14,000 kilometres apart, exchanging messages on the one day that belongs to both of them. That is not something we can plan for. It is a privilege to witness.

'I don't believe we will ever see this again. The world's two oldest men. One 113 today, the other 114. On the same day, wishing each other happy birthday from opposite sides of the world.

Australia's oldest living person has celebrated his 113th birthday on the same day as the only man in the world older than him

Ken Weeks (pictured), from Grafton in New South Wales, marked the extraordinary milestone on October 5, the same day as the world’s oldest living man 

João Marinho Neto, from Maranguape, Ceará, Brazil, turned 114 and exchanged birthday messages with Mr Weeks (pictured) 

'That is not rare. That is special, and it may be the only time it ever happens.'

Mr Weeks has lived at the nursing home since 2018, moving in shortly before his 105th birthday. Before entering care, he lived independently for decades and was still walking into town for shopping at the age of 100.

He has lived in the Northern Rivers region of north-eastern New South Wales for more than a century, growing up on a riverside farm at Swan Creek as the eldest of five children.

During World War II, Mr Weeks was unable to join the Royal Australian Air Force but instead helped construct wartime airfields.

A lifelong tinkerer and builder, he worked in construction and repairs throughout his career and ran several small businesses, including a service station, milk bar and repair shop.

Mr Weeks married Jean McPhee in 1941 and they had two sons, Ian and Noel. The couple remained married for 45 years until Jean died in 1986.

His son Ian said his father had lived a simple life, with few of the modern health trends often associated with longevity.

'He lived a plain simple life; no drinking, no smoking, though he ate white bread,' he said.

Mr Weeks has been living at Whiddon Grafton nursing home since 2018

His son Ian said the key to his father’s long life was simple, 'no drinking, no smoking, although he did eat white bread'

'He wasn't into today's health stuff, not very much sweet stuff, but it was all plain simple food.'

While Mr Weeks remains physically fit and relatively agile, his age has impacted his voice.

'He has trouble talking [and] he doesn't speak very well,' Ian said.

His granddaughter Eunice described him as a 'gentle' and 'kind' man.

'Grandpa's resilience, determination, and independence combined with his faith in God have given him a remarkable and long life,' she said.

'And while he is remarkable, I also love that he has lived a simple ordinary life of industrious hard work.

'To me he is a typical Aussie battler, that just happens to be my grandad.'

LongeviQuest, a global longevity research organisation, recognises Mr Neto as the world's oldest living man and Mr Weeks as the second-oldest living man.