He might be turning 97 in June, but that isn't stopping Albury World War II veteran Joe McGrath from making his ANZAC Day pilgrimage to Sydney to march.
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Mr McGrath will be taking a solo train trip to Sydney tomorrow where he'll arrive at 8pm, ready for the march on Sunday.
Last year, he was not able to march for the first time in decades due to COVID-19.
"Last year was the only time I'd missed the march in about 60 years, it was disappointing," he said.
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Mr McGrath was a member of the No.75 RAAF squadron, or the Magpies, that served in New Guinea.
During his time in New Guinea Mr McGrath spent time on an old coal burning boat.
"We were in Milne Bay in the harbour on an old boat named the Isolator and if you needed a salt water shower you needed to shovel coal for half an hour."
Mr McGrath said it was either that or chance a swim with the sharks with a mate watching over you with a 303 rifle.
But one of his most vivid wartime memories is of coming under fire in Morotai around Christmas time.
"One of the things that sticks with me is when I was a part of an advanced party that went to Morotai and we were on the line where they were firing over our heads."
After getting back to Australia a case of Dengue fever meant his leave was spoiled by a hospital stay.
"I had atebrin which kept it at bay and turned our skin yellow, but as soon as I got back to Australia I had 50 days leave and I was crook the whole time with Dengue fever."
Despite being a proud marcher for the past 60 years, Mr McGrath didn't immediately jump at the chance to march after his return to home soil.
"I think when you first come back, it's just the way you feel. There are a lot of things you don't want to remember. My mates had to convince me to march," he said.
