THEY say life begins at 40 but for Trevor Priday 90 is pretty good too.

Mr Priday, who moved to the Whitsundays last year from the New South Wales Central Coast, celebrated this milestone birthday last Wednesday, March 25, with a dinner at Sorrento Bar and Restaurant in the Abell Point Marina.

Mr Priday was born in Wales and emigrated to Sydney in 1928.

During the Second World War he lied about his age to enlist in the Australian Army at the age of just 15.

After stints around Australia including at Townsville and Sydney, the then Private Priday served in New Guinea on a number of occasions as well as in Japan as part of the occupation force after the war had ended.

He is now one of only about six surviving 'under 16's', the term given to those who enlisted while under age.

After leaving the army, Mr Priday became a boilermaker in Sydney. He married, moved into marketing and for a number of years was the state sales manager for Philips Lighting in News South Wales. He eventually branched out into his own agency selling light fittings around the state.

In 2000, Mr Priday's eldest son of two, Mal Priday, moved to the Whitsundays with his family and it was this that prompted Mr Priday senior to follow suit.

Last week, he was absolutely delighted to have three generations of Pridays here with him to celebrate his 90th year.

The fourth generation of great-grandchildren are still at school in England and New Zealand.