Father of two, and grandfather of one, Bob Hodgson suffers from asthma and speaks in between the odd wheeze.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
But leaving the rest of us no excuses to stay indoors this New Year's Eve, the chromatic harmonica player will be out and about, dancing into his 72nd birthday at midnight on Wednesday at the Monaro Folk Society New Year's dance.
"It's traditional; I've been doing it for 20 years. We used to do it at Civic off London Circuit at the steps of the theatre," Mr Hodgson sad.
The hoedown at the Yarralumla Woolshed is just one of the multitude of New Year's Eve shindigs set to fire up the capital on Wednesday night.
Across the city, a very different scene will be set at Antony Arena and Lorenzo Focarile's bar, Molly, with a Gatsby-inspired "party like it's 1923" event.
Mr Arena said the staff planned to "kick it up a notch" to celebrate the first year after opening in February.
He said an "old-school" magician would kick-off proceedings before the bar got down to business with a few sets from Canberra musician Elise Walsh's Bella Groove jazz band.
"We are going to have boutique beers and wine and platters of meat and cheese before getting out the champagne to toast the new year," Mr Arena said.
In Civic, there will be free shows in Civic Square and Garema Place organised by Events ACT.
Perth's Eskimo Joe will play in Civic Square, and are looking forward to belting out their hits on the main stage. They will be supported by Canberra bands Dos Locos and Plump.
Finally, Martin Brady has been tasked with launching more than 1500 fireworks at 9pm and midnight from Garema Place in the annual display, which many view from their Red Hill picnics.
"It'll be an awesome show. Some of the guys have been making stuff for quite some time; it's huge," he had said .
And if the break with 2014 leaves you hurting in a way only 400 grams of deep fried meat will cure, rest assured late night food will be available.
Chicken Gourmet's Gerald Sanfrancesco said the Civic branch would be ready to feed hungry revellers.
Asked whether it was likely to be busy, Mr Sanfrancesco said "I'm hoping so".
"Summernats are here early this year, it should be a really good night."
To get home, there will be double the number of ACTION Nightrider services operating, with services leaving from 12.15am to 4.40am. Tickets are $5 cash only.
