The oldest man in Australia has a curious hobby to occupy his time: he knits jumpers for penguins hurt in oil spills.

According to NineMSN, Alfred Date, 109, moved into an aged-care village on the coast of new South Wales last year and within hours had been recruited into helping the unfortunate birds.

The Penguin Foundation on Philip Island had asked the public to send in specially-knitted jumpers, and a nurse at the village asked Date if he would lend a hand.

Luckily, he had over 80 years of experience in the craft, having been asked to make a jumper for his newly born nephew in 1931.

Now, seven children, 20 grandchildren and as many great-grandchildren later, Date is still a daft hand, and says it's a fine way of passing the time:

"It's a good way of getting along in life. You make friends all the time but you don't make a fool of yourself either."

When caught in oil spills, penguins' feathers gets matted, allowing water to seep through to the skin, causing coldness. The jumpers keep the birds warm and prevent them from eating any of the oil stuck to them.

The Penguin Foundation, who were inundated with jumpers from across Australia, were delighted to find they had such an esteemed donor:

"We knew he was over 100 years old, but had no idea he was declared the oldest person in Australia," said representative Danene Jones.

"It's amazing and we feel quite privileged to have him dedicating his time and effort to the Penguin Foundation."

Nowadays, Date continues to knit hats and scarves for whoever might need them:

"I like to make it without mistakes and I don't excuse myself for doing it.

"[But] I think there is an excuse for a person who's gone beyond the normal span of life."