On Monday, May 17, Dexter officially turned 111 years and 124 days old, making him the oldest Australian ever.
Born in January 1910, Monday marked his overtaking of the previous record holder, Jack Lockett, a World War I veteran who died at 111 years and 123 days old.
Marking the impressive milestone surrounded by friends and family, and receiving a visit from Defence Minister Peter Dutton, everyone wanted to know the centenarian’s secret to a long life.
Since retiring, Dexter began writing short stories and poetry, and has so far published 13 books – the most recent being an autobiography.
The former vet also said that living a remote rural lifestyle and eating chicken brains had also helped him reach this age.
“When I was seven years old, my father gave me a heifer calf, and I’ve been in the cattle business ever since,” he said.
“It has been and will continue to be a great honour to be the oldest man ever to be in Australia.”
