SEVEN weeks in hospital is a tough stint, but 95-year-old Athol McCosker had a well-deserved pick-me-up last week with the birth of his great grandson.

While the birth of the beautiful boy was wonderful news, an added sweetener for Mr McCosker was that four generations of McCosker boys were able to celebrate together.

Though Jackson Lester, who was born on Friday weighing in at 6lb 11oz, is Mr McCosker's 10th great grandchild, he's the first to carry on the family name.

Mr McCosker's son Lester (grandfather to Jackson) and grandson Tim (father to Jackson) were all thrilled by the arrival.

Their origins are Irish but the first family members came to Australia in 1828.

Mr McCosker grew up in Dalveen where his family were farmers, wood workers, saw millers and did general bush work.

Though he loved school, his family couldn't afford the 10 shillings a week of board and so he started a lifetime of hard yakka at 13-years-old, working with sheep, shearing and even driving the bullock wagon from time to time.

“All our family are hard workers,” he said.

“We worked harder than any of these young fellas will have to these days.”

According to the McCosker women, the men in their lives all are proud of their appearance, taking care of how they dress and look.

They have good genes too, with one of Mr McCosker's uncles living to 104, another to 99 and two sisters living to 93 and 91.

Still sharp as a tack, Mr McCosker also thinks he's found a cure for dementia – he repeats the alphabet backwards every night and did so during the interview to prove he's still able.

And he's proud as punch of his family.

While he's struggled being cooped up in hospital, he was pleased he didn't have to travel too far to see his great grandson.

“It's nice to have them all around me,” Mr McCosker said.

“Everyone is still in Warwick.”