Harry Vincent celebrates 100th birthday after having party with family on weekend

The newest member of the centenarian club was surrounded by family and friends at Easy Living Retirement Village, with dozens of people attending to congratulate him on the milestone.

Mr Vincent has had a truly incredible life, and has contributed a lot to the Tamworth community throughout his lifetime.

He served as a committee member for the Tamworth Show Society for 30 years, and was ringmaster for eight of those, eventually earning a much deserved life membership award in 2019 - some 50 odd years after he first volunteered.

Born in Narrabri but having moved to Tamworth with his parents at age five, Mr Vincent has been a farmer since the age of 14 when he quit school to help his father at their property 'Tremorn' on Goonoo Goonoo Station.

He was one of six children, with one older sister, two older brothers and two younger brothers.

He loved the farm, but ironically was convinced to move away from it because of love, having met Betty at the Tamworth Baths at 23-years-old.

They were married at the Presbyterian Church on Marius Street in 1944, and rented before buying a house on King Street.

Their first son, Barry, was born in August 1946 and in June of 1949 their second child Ron was brought into the world.

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Much like their father, they loved the farm and would often ride out there to see their dad who was still splitting his time between there and the house in town.

Mr Vincent lost his father in 1961, and five years later he and Betty would permanently move out to Tremorn.

It was a diverse property, at which they farmed wheat, oats, sorghum and broom millet, and grazed around 1400 sheep, 60 cattle, pigs and Australian stock horses.

During this time he was an active member of the community, judging a number of horse events, shows and gymkhanas, and eventually having the local campdraft ring named after him.

Tragedy struck in 1976 as Betty was diagnosed with cancer, and two years later she lost the battle.

Mr Vincent was fortunate enough to still have his sons around the region, and they helped each other through the tough times.

Eventually he sold Tremorn and moved onto a new property called 'Avondale' which became popular with his five grandchildren. He now has 10 great-grandchildren.

Mr Vincent found love again and was married to Dot in 1988, having met at a dance.

The couple are still together, with Dot set to turn 85 next month.

The 100-year-old has been described as a "true gentlemen", and is loved by his whole family, which means a lot when you have children, step-children, children-in-law, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

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