There are two things 100-year-old Belmont man Arthur Godden says make for a long and happy life. 

The first is having a positive Christian attitude, the second is marrying right – “Happy wife, Happy life”.

Whether you agree with him or not, there’s no denying the formula works well for the gregarious great-grandfather. 

The World War II Veteran, who still drives his own car on a full licence, has a resume that reads like a shopping list and a memory like an elephant. 

He has run in 18 consecutive City to Surf events, crossing the finish line on the last one aged well into his 90s. 

“My son offered to push me in a chair and I said, ‘if I can’t run it, I’m not doing it’,” Arthur says. 

From boarding school near Bathurst, to Sydney, Cooma, Canberra and now Lake Macquarie, he can name the suburbs he’s lived in like most of us can recite what we had for breakfast earlier today.

Born in 1923, the only child of a single mother, Arthur completed his schooling in “sixth class” aged 14. 

“It was a tough time for a woman with a young child and no husband, there was no welfare back then,” he recalled.

Not satisfied with his limited education, Arthur completed his school certificate when he was aged in his 40s. 

“I graduated with all the high school kids,” he told the Newcastle Weekly. 

“They must have thought I was crazy, but it was important to me. Education is a blessing.” 

Arthur’s 96-year-old wife Gloria credits his curious mind with keeping him young at heart. 

“He has always had an enquiring mind,” she says. 

“He’s always wanted to keep learning and if he doesn’t know something he tries to find out about it. 

“He looks after me more than I have to look after him and I’m the younger one!” 

Arthur served in the Australian Army from the age of 18 until he was 23. 

He served in both Darwin and Papua New Guinea during this time. 

Most of the public service roles he undertook following his time in uniform, he says, were thanks to a good work ethic and a personable nature. 

“And, I was lucky my wife was happy to move when a new job came up. She had a good job too and she was very good at her job, but she moved for my work.” 

Happy wife, Happy life

Married 23 April, 1949, Arthur and Gloria are still besotted with each other after 74 years of marriage, their wedding date another number that rolls off the tongue for the pair. 

“That’s because we were on our honeymoon and he missed Anzac Day and he’s never forgiven me for it,” laughs Gloria. 

Living happily in Lake Macquarie, the Goddens have two children, three grandchildren and five great-grandchildren,  

“Most of them live in Queensland,” Gloria says. 

“But, it’s wonderful when we can all get together. 

“They made an effort for Arthur’s special birthday.” 

Speaking of such occasions, 100 is a number Arthur says he never thought he’d reach. 

After mourning the passing of several friends over the years, he says he assumed he’d be gone at least two decades earlier. 

“I thought when I retired, well, this is it, I’ll be dead soon,” he admits. 

“I think that’s what happens to a lot of people, they finish their public service and three weeks after they retire they’re dead. 

“You’ve got to find things to do to give you purpose I suppose.” 

Birthday celebrations 

So how does a 100-year-old celebrate their birthday?

The answer is – the same as any other big kid – with a party at Maccas. 

In fact, the spritely centenarian has been fond of the red and yellow clown and his take-away food for decades. 

Meeting Ronald McDonald on several occasions, Arthur even ran the City to Surf wearing a McDonald’s T-shirt, and helped at a community barbecue wearing a ‘McLearner’ T-shirt. 

“We’ve always been near a McDonalds I think, so we come and have a sit and something to eat,” he said.

“When I did the City 2 Surfs it would be the place we’d stop at on the way home.”

A Big Mac if its a meal time, and a hot apple pie and a coffee any other time of the day, that’s his top pick.

Happy 100th birthday Arthur Godden.

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