In the lead-up to the International Day of Older Persons on October 1, Dr Telford warms up, warms down and sprints alongside Olympic runners as he helps prepare them for competition at the highest level.

He is one of five people The Sunday Canberra Times is featuring, who celebrate the gift of a life long lived, every day. They see themselves not as others see them, but as they were, and are today, in their working prime.

Dancer Elizabeth Dalman, 81, is rising on her toes looking for a new vocabulary to choreograph dancing for an older body. Professor Telford, 70, studies the link between physical activity with mental development in youngsters, which drives him to learn more and spread his knowledge.

Greg Hallam, who at 72 still shears sheep and rides a quad bike like a teenager, vowed never to work into old age for as long as his father did, which was 86. "I'd say I'm getting out of here before I get that old. But I haven't, and I'm loving it," Mr Hallam said.

Also revelling in this gift of living longer are publicist Coralie Wood, and tireless entomologist Philip Spradbery.

If Dr Spradbery discovers how a queen wasp can control other wasps' fertility he could offer a new form of control for all insects, a prospect that compels the 77-year-old scientist to bring home wasp nests for experiments. When a setback depresses him, he asks another question in yet another experiment, as he has done so for 20 years, and his quest continues.

The best entertainers in the world rely on Ms Wood, 75, to publicise their Canberra performances because she has never forgotten what entrepreneur Michael Edgley once told her about looking after celebrities. She lost one of her trademark eyelashes once, in a puddle while looking after the media at an open air, Elton John concert.

She can't see herself doing anything else and is still finding stars for the Australian stage in the Canberra Area Theatre Awards which she founded 21 years ago.