|
|
Caravanning and RVing in Australia
|
Vale Arthur Pullen - a great Australian Caravanner
Sadly I have to report that Arthur died on Thursday 19th November 2009 I was priviledged to have known Arthur and his wife Pat for quite a few years Arthur James Pullin PULLIN. - Arthur James. 11.12.1905 - 19.11.2009 Husband of Pat, father of Janet and Phyllis, father-in-law of Ken Baird (dec.) and Barry Serpell. Grandfather of John and Sue, Lynne and Tony, Peter, David and Jemima, Wendy and Daryll, Robyn and Stephen. Great-grandfather of Andrew, Jessica, Daniel, Chloe, Caitlyn, Maddison, Lachlan, Megan and Emma. Died peacefully in his sleep. Sincere thanks to the caring staff at Leopold Lodge. He was a good man Published in Herald Sun on November 21, 2009
Another milestone for Arthur and Pat - 103 not out!
The words are a bit hard to read in the article so here they are again. Evonne Barry January 18, 2009 12:00am HAVING notched up so many milestones in 206 years, Arthur and Pat Pullin don't fuss about their extraordinary achievements. Not even their likely record as the world's oldest married couple. "It just arrived, that's all," Mr Pullin, who turned 103 in December, said. His wife celebrated her own 103rd birthday this month, strengthening their case for the top place in the record books. They have edged out Britain's oldest couple - Ralph and Phyllis Tarrant - whose ages tally 205 years. And if the Pullins' good health continues for another two years, they could beat the record of 209, set by a Welsh couple in the 19th century. But for now, the parents of two, grandparents of six, and great-grandparents of nine, are doing what they do best - getting on with living. Having both migrated from England, the couple met at a dance at Korumburra, South Gippsland, before marrying there in 1936. There they raised their family and became active members of the community, joining everything from the church choir, St John ambulance service and Red Cross, to the angling, golf and tennis clubs. Only last year, aged 102, did they leave the family home. They moved to a nursing home in Leopold, near Geelong, closer to their family. Mr and Mrs Pullin, whose enduring affection for each other is obvious, said shared interests had been a key to their 72-year marriage. "And tolerance," Mr Pullin said. "It's no good winning an argument." Mrs Pullin has lost most of her hearing, but the couple still manage to communicate. And they take part in singalongs at the nursing home. Mr Pullin said there was no great secret to their remarkable longevity. "Who knows," he said. "Your life changes and you have to got to go along with it. "I don't think we've done anything different . . . but I don't smoke or drink or go out with bad women." That makes daughter Janet Baird laugh: "Mum and Dad have still got their sense of humour." Here are some earlier stories about this remarkable couple  Remember Arthur and Pat turning 100? Here they are two years later and still going strong! Mike Edmonds December 13, 2007 12:00am WITH almost 204 years between them, Arthur and Pat Pullin are world-beaters. Arthur turned 102 on Tuesday. Pat will celebrate her 102nd birthday on January 4. That puts them very near, if not at, the top of the world's oldest surviving couples list. In 2005, a Philadelphia couple in the US claimed the title with a combined 205 years, but the husband died shortly after being recognised by Guinness World Records. Arthur and Pat were taking it easy at home in Korumburra yesterday after his birthday celebration. They were making Christmas plans and plotting Pat's 102nd birthday bash, although dancing was out. "We're going to Geelong for Christmas with two daughters we've got there, so we'll see all the kids and grandkids again then," Arthur said. "We don't dance these days but Pat was my first girlfriend, I think, and back then there were dances everywhere -- bachelors' balls, spinsters' balls, and all the churches had their balls." Arthur and Pat live in a flower-bedecked cottage built in 1928 -- a living piece of history with treasured knick-knacks, family photos and samples of Pat's early passion for painting. After 71 years of marriage, they can almost read each other's mind. Which is just as well, because Pat is the first to tell visitors she's deaf as a post. Their strongest memories are of the good times with family and friends, the joyous occasions, and the years they spent on the road in a caravan. Two world wars, the Great Depression and other tough times are overshadowed by the daily thrill they get just living life with each other. Painting was one Pat's earliest hobbies. "I'm sort of an artist," she confessed. "I had a friend who lived on a farm and was a bit lonely and asked me to go with her and learn to paint. So I did, and finished up selling a lot of paintings." When it came time to go, Pat was as forthright as ever. "It's been nice meeting you, but it's nice to see you go." She reckons that after 102 years, she has the right to speak her mind. And who would disagree? And one from three years back -
      Lionel and Vi Mussell
Born during September-December 1905 * September 1 - Elvera
Sanchez, Puerto Rican dancer (d.2000) ........and of course Arthur and Pat Pullin - still going strong!!!!
Back to Caravanning in Australia or buy Lionel's book.
|
|
