Australia's oldest man, Frank Mawer, dies peacefully after the most extraordinary life

Mr Mawer died in his sleep on Saturday at Central Tilba, on the NSW South Coast, at the home of his son Philip.

Until November last year Mr Mawer lived independently in his own apartment at Gymea in Sydney's south, supported by HammondCare At Home staff. He moved to the South Coast to be with his son, a nurse, and his partner after a fall.

Mr Mawer, who celebrated his 110th birthday on August 15, took the title of Australia's oldest man in July last year after the death of Queensland man Dexter Kruger.

Mr Mawer's son Barry said his dad had contracted COVID-19 several weeks ago and it had weakened him.

"He lived life to the full even in recent months. He insisted on sitting up for meals, he did his exercises every day, and had plenty of visitors," Barry said.

"He went to have his afternoon nap on Saturday afternoon and never woke up."

In 2020, Mr Mawer said his advice for living to a grand age was simple: no smoking, no drinking and no gambling.

"These are three things you can choose. The way you live makes a difference. And the schooling costs of my six children was a worthy investment," Mr Mawer said at the time.

While he had not had a drink for 80 years, Mr Mawer confessed to another vice: Portuguese tarts from a nearby local bakery.

Born in 1912, Frank married his sweetheart Elizabeth, an Irish immigrant, in 1939 and they raised six children. The extended family has grown to 13 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.

Elizabeth died in 2011, aged 92.

"It was a long marriage to a lovely girl," Mr Mawer said.

Mr Mawer and the extended family vacationed at the Blue Lagoon Beach Resort at Bateau Bay on the NSW Central Coast before Christmas for more than 60 years, usually at the same beachfront site.

Mr Mawer and his family were so loved at the caravan park that a street was named in their honour.

The news of his passing was shared on Sunday with the congregation of Horizon Church, Sutherland, where he regularly worshipped for many years.

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There will be a celebration of his life at Horizon Church at a date yet to be announced after his body is cremated following a private service on the South Coast.

HammondCare chief executive Mike Baird paid tribute Mr Mawer.

"Frank was the most inspiring individual - a gracious man and a man of faith," Mr Baird said.

"HammondCare is proud to have helped him live his life to the full to the end."

The HammondCare At Home team who supported Mr Mawer during his time at Central Tilba included clinical care manager Chalmain Hansen, care manager Rhett Guthrie and care worker Rosemary Cosgrove.