Of all the centenarians currently living in Carinity aged care communities, half moved in after they had turned 100. Arthur 'Ron' Neal is the latest.
The 100-year-old is the oldest resident living at Carinity Kepnock Grove in Bundaberg.
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 it was opened by Ron's grandfather in 1924, the year of Ron's birth.
Ron recalls 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 very large 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. 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, also South Africa and other countries of interest to him.
Over the past 30 years, Ron split his time between living in Bundaberg and Newcastle. Ron has never married, nor had children, but regularly visited family interstate.
Before his brother passed in 2020, Ron would catch the train and bus from Bundaberg to Newcastle every Christmas to spend a few weeks with the family and catch up with friends.
Ron celebrated his 100th birthday at his nephew's home in Innes Park in December, surrounded by family. The momentous occasion included reading congratulatory letters sent from the King and Queen and government dignitaries.
Ron moved into Carinity Kepnock Grove in March, having lived independently in his own home in Walkervale until the age of 100.
