The father of two, who was born in 1913 at Grafton on the NSW North Coast, is thought to be the oldest living man in Australia.
He marked the occasion with his extended family and staff at the Whiddon aged care home in Grafton on Thursday.
Asked what the secret to such a long life was, the 110-year-old spoke about his love of walking.
“Oh yes, I’ve always been active,” he said.
That was confirmed by his grandson, Jason Weeks.
“All his places had stairs, so he always used to climb two steps at a time and he’s always been so active,” he said.
Breakfast of champions
But Ken does have a habit and it comes in a can.
He has been regularly devouring baked beans for several decades.
“More than 30 years, I think, for breakfast,” Ken said.
The 110-year-old only moved into the aged care facility five years ago.
Whiddon chief executive Chris Mamarelis said when staff found out what Ken’s favourite food was they organised a special birthday present.
“We reached out [to the company] and said, ‘Can you provide us with a pallet of baked beans?’ Because that’s something he tells us has fuelled him for 100 years,” he said.
“And to their credit they’ve gone and created this wonderful label with his face on there, so that’s added this special touch to the day.”
The custom cans will not be the only keepsakes from the special day — Ken also received a letter of congratulations from King Charles.
“On my 100th birthday I got one from the Queen,” Ken said.
The former electrical repairman and fish-and-chip shop owner has five grandchildren and several step-grandchildren.
Ian said his dad was still in good shape, though there were some signs of his age.
“I wouldn’t count on more than a year at a time,” Ian said.
“But he’s still very fit and active, it’s just that his hearing and eyesight have gone a bit.”