A Huge Year for the Business

1979 proved to be a year of momentous change for Arnold's, marking several significant transitions that would reshape the business's future. The year began with Paul Arnold confirming a major business decision - the impending sale of Arnold's land to Myer, signaling a new chapter in the company's property holdings.

Original Auction Notice For Arnold's Current Osburn Street Location In Wodonga (1980)

The year also saw the retirement of Earle Arnold after an impressive 47-year tenure with the business, matching his brother Noel's lengthy service. This transition coincided with his son Barrie's departure to pursue a new entrepreneurial venture as Albury's first McDonald's franchisee, demonstrating how the Arnold family's business acumen extended beyond the produce trade.

These changes culminated in Paul Arnold becoming the sole owner of the business, concentrating the leadership that had been shared across family members for generations into a single pair of hands. This structural simplification marked a new era in Arnold's governance and decision-making.

The year was also touched by sadness with the passing of Harry Arnold at age 83. Harry, who had managed the Olive Street shop and been instrumental in the business's growth during his tenure, had left an indelible mark on Arnold's history, even long after his departure to Sydney in 1942.

This convergence of events - property sale, retirement, ownership consolidation, and the loss of a key figure from the business's past - made 1979 one of the most significant years in Arnold's history since its founding.