Having lived independently in his own home in Walkervale until the age of 100, Arthur ‘Ron’ Neal is now the oldest resident at his new aged care community.
Ron moved into Carinity Kepnock Grove earlier this year, having split his time between living in Bundaberg and Newcastle for the past 30 years.
He was born Arthur Ronald Neal in Newcastle on 17 December 1924, to parents Arthur and Edna Neal.
Ron’s father and grandfather both served as politicians – Arthur Neal was an Alderman for Newcastle City Council, following on from Sidney Marshall Neal who was Mayor of nearby Wallsend.
A plaque on the Neal Bridge crossing Ironbark Creek in Wallsend states that it was opened by Ron’s grandfather in 1924, the year of Ron’s birth.
Ron recalled growing up with his parents and younger brother Jack in Jesmond, west of Newcastle.
They holidayed at the family lake house at Wangi Wangi, on Lake Macquarie, enjoying activities such as fishing.
Although Ron only had one brother, his parents both came from big families, so he had a large extended family growing up.
After leaving school, Ron did an electrical fitter apprenticeship with BHP in Newcastle, then worked in his trade at an underground coal mine with his brother, father and uncles.
Ron loved watching the local soccer team play at Wallsend every weekend.
He still enjoys watching sport on television, supporting his home rugby league team the Newcastle Knights, and he also loves watching cricket.
An avid member of the Baptist Church, Ron later lived in Sydney for several years, working at Sydney City Mission where he enjoyed helping those in need.
He has enjoyed travelling overseas, visiting England three times, as well as South Africa and other countries of interest to him.
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