Giovanni Zanatta, who migrated to Australia in 1934, at the age of 20, celebrated his centenary surrounded by his extended family at Scalabrini Village on Tuesday, September 23.

"I never thought I would get to this point to celebrate this birthday," he said.

"But now, I'd like to see the young ones to make it that far too."

The humble birthday boy said after moving to Yenda 80 years ago, he worked on his family's farm, enjoying spending time with his family and "having a good time".

"A lot of things changed, lots of things happened good things, bad things," he said.

"But if you can have a laugh, you'll be right. And try not to be cranky with anyone."

"I just try my best to be a nice old chap.

"And I really hope to stay here a bit longer, but what's coming is coming."

Mr Zanatta said he had not had any wishes for his birthday, but he was excited and "very happy" to be able to celebrate it with his family and his wife of 75 years, Elsa.

"It's about give and take and helping each other,” his wife said about the secret of their long marriage.

“And when something goes wrong you try and overcome it and come out stronger.”

The happy couple’s daughter, Renee Johnson, said her dad had been counting the days to his birthday, beaming with excitement.

“He’s really been looking forward to this,” Mrs Johnson said.

“It is a fantastic milestone – and very emotional for the entire family.”

Mrs Johnson said her dad had particularly been excited about opening birthday letters from the Queen, the Governor-General Peter Cosgrove and the Prime Minister.

“He said he wanted to see the Queen’s letter first. It’s a very special thing,” Mr Zanatta’s daughter said.

Together with his wife, Mr Zanatta moved to Scalabrini Village about six months ago and village cultural co-ordinator Emilio Aramini said it was an “incredible experience” to organise the birthday party.

“It really is an amazing honour to have this lovely couple reach this fantastic milestone together,” Mr Aramini said.

"We’re thrilled to be able to play a small part in the celebrations – we really love them an even though they haven’t been with us for long, we’ve become really attached and we’re all a big family now.”