FORGET trenchcoats, slouch pants and Jimmy Choo shoes. Being old is what's in fashion.
Australia is in the grips of a new demographic phenomenon, with more people than ever before expected to live to celebrate their 110th birthday.
The Department of Ageing estimates that by 2055 there will be 78,000 Australians aged over 100.
St George and Sutherland Shire should be well represented, with people over the age of 65 making up 13.3 per cent of the population in the shire, 14.7 per cent in Kogarah and 15.6 per cent in Rockdale and Hurstville.
One of the shire's oldest-known residents was the late Nora Lesley, who turned 110 in 2004.
The oldest known person in Australia is a Victorian woman, 112.
Sutherland Shire Council recently held its annual seniors' lunch, which honours residents who have reached their centenary.
Among the attendees was Ethell Titmuss, who has three children, 11 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren.
Minister for Ageing, Justine Elliot, said Australians now enjoyed the fourth-longest life expectancy in the world.
``People used to joke that 45 was the `new' 30, but today, with record numbers of Australians reaching 100, 100 is becoming the new 75,'' Mrs Elliot said.
When asked what was the secret to a long life, most of the centenarians featured on the pages of the Leader cited love, God, exercise and good food.
How many 100 year olds do you know?