Celebrating 100 Years: A Legacy of Service

1992 marked an extraordinary milestone as Arnold's celebrated its centenary, standing proud as the oldest family business in Albury-Wodonga. This remarkable achievement represented far more than just the passing of years; it symbolized a century of dedication, adaptation, and unwavering commitment to the community.

Louise Arnold & Staff Posing In Front of Arnold's Fruit Market Celebrating 100 Years (Oct 1992)

From J.G Arnold's humble beginnings with a wheelbarrow of vegetables to the modern operation of the 1990s, the business had become woven into the very fabric of the region. Through wars, depressions, technological changes, and social transformations, Arnold's had not merely survived but continuously evolved, while maintaining the core values that had guided the family since 1892.

The year was also marked by the passing of Esther Batstone (née Arnold) at the remarkable age of 104. As the last of the second generation, her death represented the closing of a direct link to the early years of the family business. Esther's long life had spanned nearly the entire history of Arnold's, from her childhood memories of her father J.G's early struggles to the business's centenary celebrations.

This confluence of celebrating a century of service while farewelling the last of J.G's children provided a powerful reminder of the personal stories and family dedication that had built and sustained Arnold's through its first hundred years. The milestone stood as a testament to the enduring trust of customers, the loyalty of staff, and the commitment of each generation of the Arnold family to building upon the foundation laid by those who came before.