<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Australia's oldest living World War II veteran, Colin Wagener, has celebrated his 108th birthday at his property in the Adelaide Hills. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The veteran served as a signaller during the war and was also a part-time photographer, forced to trade cigarette rations for materials to develop his photographs.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>However, one memory that has remained with him is one he didn't capture on film: his return to Adelaide after six years of service. </span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/dr-ashley-gordon-killer-sentenced-to-17-years-jail-over-stabbing-melbourne/44bd0c69-5daa-4abb-8845-2e3a34ceea63"><strong><span>Family's 'life term' but killer could walk in 12 years</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Dad said I stink," Wagener said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Wagener spent his birthday receiving visitors at his Highland Valley property, where he continues to maintain an active lifestyle, including riding his motorbike. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>When asked about his longevity, he offered simple advice: avoid smoking and alcohol, and keep moving. </span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/australia-oldest-wwii-veteran-108-birthday/2d8381cf-2c85-409e-a685-47e03cd2ef49" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/park-waves-festival-australia-cancelled/9d6565b7-a83c-42da-a502-d807022ebae7"><strong><span>'We're gutted': Organisers pull plug on Aussie music festival</span></strong></a><strong><span></span></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Well, things crop up, you know," he said. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Cutting the lawn or mowing the hedge. I got about 60 acres I gotta look after."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>While Mr Wagener is not focused on reaching his 110th birthday, he remains dedicated to staying active and taking each day as it comes – as well as enjoying Tim Tams, which he was gifted 111 of to mark today's milestone.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><em><span>This article was produced with the assistance of</span></em><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/technology/9express/16480c33-636a-461f-9c4f-d0e2522c722a"><em><span>9ExPress</span></em></a><em><span>.</span></em></div></div>