For a century, Gordon Stone has led an incredible life.
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Born Charles Gordon Stone on April 6, 1914 at Prince Henry Hospital, "Gordon", as he was named (to distinguish him from his father) has excelled in every facet of his life, from sporting star to soldier and then dedicated family man.
He was raised at the hospital of his birth, where his father, Charles Henry Stone, spent his whole life working as the works foreman.
His father was in fact awarded the Imperial Service Medal in 1949, by the Governor of NSW, for his pioneering services to the development of the hospital.
It was a connection that would span a lifetime and that would be passed on to his children.
While Gordon currently holds the honour of being the oldest living Wallaby player, what makes his life fascinating extends beyond footie cleats and a stitched leather ball.
Born the second of five children, he grew up on one of only two residences on the Prince Henry Hospital grounds at Little Bay, NSW.
Despite growing up in the depression, Gordon's son Peter said his father enjoyed an idyllic lifestyle at the hospital.
"They had food in their bellies, jobs, the sporting oval right there and a private beach where they went fishing, while the depression went on around them," he said.
The oval was the beginning of an impressive sporting career cut short by the Second World War.
Gordon and his younger brother Bill used to kick goals at the oval every afternoon and would often watch others playing sport.
"The oval was to become his sports inspiration as he could always see cricket and rugby games," Peter said.
After excelling in sport through both primary and high school, Gordon debuted for Randwick Rugby Club in 1934 and played for them until 1940.
In more than 100 games for the club, Gordon made 93 first grade appearances and was part of three premiership winning sides in 1934, 1938 and 1940.
He made seven appearances for the NSW Waratah's and played one test match for Australia against the New Zealand All Blacks in 1938 before the war broke out.
Unlike the professional athletes of the modern era, Gordon worked full time at the Prince Henry Hospital, continuing the family connection his father started.
At 19 he started as a trainee with the medical department to become a medical technologist, what is known today as a haematologist in a career that would lead him to military service during World War II.
The hospital was instrumental in every aspect of Gordon's life.
It shaped his childhood, started his career, and was where he met the love of his life, Iris Sharpe.
The lovebirds became engaged in 1939 before the onset of World War II uprooted their lives.
Gordon was seconded into the 119th Australian General Hospital unit and started his military service in Ballarat, Victoria.
"The bloke that was the head doctor in Darwin knew Gordon and wanted someone who could look after the lab work," Peter said.
One month after Gordon enlisted he married the love of his life in secret so she could continue working as a nurse.
After only one night of marital bliss, the pair continued their love affair through letters for the better part of five years with Iris called up for army service and stationed in Townsville.
While Gordon started his army career as a Sergeant, Iris was a Lieutenant.
It was what Peter described as a "pecking order that tended to remain in married life".
Gordon was stationed in Darwin until June 1943 and witnessed the bombing attacks by the Japanese before the hospital unit was moved to Adelaide River with the patients for safety.
Gordon was then promoted to Lieutenant and sent to New Guinea for the remainder of the war, serving in Lae and Rebaul as a Malaria Control Officer.
"This was an important part of the war effort because Malaria is what had a significant impact on halting the Japanese," Peter said.
During his deployment to New Guinea in early 1945, the couple was reunited for the first time in over four years for a few stolen nights.
This reunion was the beginning of the end of Iris's army career with their eldest child, Peter, born on November 8, 1945.
While Gordon was unable to be present for the birth of his first son, he was discharged in January 1946 to continue his career and begin family life.
Despite returning to civilian life, Gordon didn't return to the world of representative sport, except for a one year stint coaching the Randwick first grade rugby side.
The family moved to what Peter said was their 'dream home of their own' in Maroubra where they would welcome their daughter, Judy, in 1947.
Gordon returned to Prince Henry Hospital where he ran the hematology laboratory of the pathology department.
After 14 happy years, the family moved from their dream home to Kogarah to fulfill one of Iris's dream - running her own private hospital, or what would today be a nursing home.
The couple successfully ran and owned the hospital for five years before moving to Cronulla when Iris got thrombosis in the legs.
Gordon was forced into retirement in 1979 at the age of 65 as that was the age limit for public servants.
The Stone's remained in Cronulla before moving to the Highlands in 2009 due to Iris's poor health.
Iris passed away peacefully in her sleep later that year.
Gordon will celebrate his 100th birthday on Sunday, April 6 at the Bowral home of his daughter Judy and son-in-law Ken. He will be joined by Peter and wife Rosemary, together with six grand children, nine great-grand children, family and close friends.
"He is a very humble man but he's excited to reach 100," Judy said.