Arthur Cornell, 100 years Young
19th August 2021
In: General News
It is not too often you have the privilege to shake someones hand who has reached such a milestone, and certainly not very often someone who has had such an influence on activities you may be directly involved with. Today, however, we had this privilege as our Honorary President, Arthur Cornell reached the milestone of 100 years of age.
We have written a few articles previously in relation to Arthur, which detail his involvement with the Melbourne Park Plots from 1947, one of the first twenty plot holders to be assigned a piece of land following the purchase of the area from Melbourne Park Estates in 1938.
Arthur fought across Africa and Europe during the second world war, and was part of the military coalition forces with the 5th Essex Regiment which first repelled and then pushed the invading German armies out of central Italy, before being further posted to Belgium.
He made a commitment to a good friend in the Army about getting an allotment when he de-mobilised before having to explain exactly what an allotment was, and from this point in 1947 has been connected with the site with his wife Ada.
Whilst various iterations of an association and trading hut have existed on the site, it was again Arthur who convinced Tony Holbrook to re start the Association in 2004, together with the trading hut, and the very first question he always asks us when anyone visits - 'how are the Allotments, are they being taken good care of?'.
Arthur eventually gave his plot up in 2016, a staggering 69 years on site, but even then still appeared every Saturday and Sunday Morning whatever the weather to open up and operate the trading hut, and still found time to tend the from garden area of the hut.
The last couple of years Arthur has been looked after at the Admirals Reach Care Home, who helped him celebrate his momentous day with a glorious cake, flowers, and the delivery of that telegram from the Royal Household, a congratulatory message from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth.
Arthur fought across Africa and Europe during the second world war, and was part of the military coalition forces with the 5th Essex Regiment which first repelled and then pushed the invading German armies out of central Italy, before being further posted to Belgium.
He made a commitment to a good friend in the Army about getting an allotment when he de-mobilised before having to explain exactly what an allotment was, and from this point in 1947 has been connected with the site with his wife Ada.
Whilst various iterations of an association and trading hut have existed on the site, it was again Arthur who convinced Tony Holbrook to re start the Association in 2004, together with the trading hut, and the very first question he always asks us when anyone visits - 'how are the Allotments, are they being taken good care of?'.
Arthur eventually gave his plot up in 2016, a staggering 69 years on site, but even then still appeared every Saturday and Sunday Morning whatever the weather to open up and operate the trading hut, and still found time to tend the from garden area of the hut.
The last couple of years Arthur has been looked after at the Admirals Reach Care Home, who helped him celebrate his momentous day with a glorious cake, flowers, and the delivery of that telegram from the Royal Household, a congratulatory message from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth.
From everyone at Melbourne Park Allotments we wish Arthur a very happy 100th Birthday.