He said he is fitter than he was 20 years ago. 

The Laurieton resident has lived in town for the past 47 years and said he appreciates the quiet nature of the area. 

Allan is passionate about dancing and tennis. He attends three or four sessions of each hobby per week. 

Forty years ago high participation in each activity would have been impossible. 

“In 1980 my back blew up and I had to restrict my movement to just walking and some fishing,” Allan said. 

By the year 2000 Allan’s back had improved and he was able to take up dancing with his wife Alma. 

“It’s so easy to sit down in a chair in front of the telly every night,” he said. 

“We decided we had to get out of the house and do something.” 

Alma and Allan celebrated their 64^th wedding anniversary earlier this week. 

He credits dancing as one of the factors which contributes to a happy marriage. 

“We have fun together,” he said. 

The couple have three children together. 

About 10 years ago Allan decided to take up tennis. He started playing at North Haven Tennis Club before moving to Laurieton about seven years ago. 

He defeated his son-in-law in a match when he was 80-years-old and is hoping for a victory repeat when he reaches 90-years-old. 

He is currently working on improving his backhand. 

Allan said people should stay active during retirement because if they don’t ‘it won’t be a very happy one’. 

Allan intends to keep playing tennis and dancing for as long as he can. 

The biggest fish Allan ever caught was a marlin which weighed 87 kilograms. 

In his youth Allan played representative hockey and basketball. He has always loved sport.