Canberra's oldest couple have celebrated their 100th birthdays among dozens of children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

George and Iris Barlin married at 21 years old and they today marked their 100th birthdays, which fall three weeks apart, with a celebration.

George Barlin, 100, with his great-grandchild. ( ABC News )

Earlier this week, the Barlins talked to 666 ABC Canberra about their love story for the ages, and what makes a marriage last the distance of 77 years.

Iris Barlin moved to Canberra with her family as a young girl and can remember watching the opening of the original Parliament House in 1927.

George Barlin moved from Taree to Canberra as a teenager to work at radio station 2CA.

He went on to establish Canberra's first television station, CTC7, which went on to become Capital.

He is regarded as the father of television in Canberra.

The couple still hold hands and giggle like sweethearts. ( ABC News )

The couple courted at the Capitol Theatre, where Iris worked as an usherette.

George did not clock off from his job at the radio station until 10:30pm each night, so he would sneak into the theatre in time to see the last 10 minutes of every film that was shown there.

"Her mother was very, very strict and there was no time for anything other than the bare essentials," Mr Barlin said.

A birthday card to Iris Barlin from the Queen. ( ABC News )

He only had one night off per fortnight, and he would take Iris out to a local cafe.

"We were allowed to go into Harry Notaras' cafe Kingston and have pie and peas," Mr Barlin said.

"Of course her parents lived directly opposite the cafe so they could look in and see everything we were up to.

"So the courtship was very prim and proper believe me."

The couple have seen Canberra grow from little more than a paddock into a bustling city.

Mr Barlin said he thought it was too quiet when he first arrived, but he changed his mind a long time ago.

"I thought, 'oh I wont last here very long'," he said.

"But the time's not up yet. They'll take me out in a box!"