Maroba welcomes Arthur Soper, OAM
Arthur Soper, along with Joyce, his wife of more than 70 years, is now proud to call Maroba home. A humble and unassuming man Arthur has built his life on three uncompromising principles – faith, family and service.
A loyal, active and committed member of the Salvation Army from childhood Arthur has served his church in many capacities. Particularly noteworthy, was his participation in his local Salvation Army Band where he was a band member from the age of nine until he turned 92 years old and relocated to Maroba. There would be very few who could claim 82 years of uninterrupted membership in a local band! His leadership and good character was also recognised by his church when he was placed in charge of the Salvation Army Youth. This was a position he held for over 25 years.
Arthur too remains a devoted family man. Father to four, grandfather to 10, great grandfather to 19 and now great, great grandfather to one, Arthur considers himself a blessed man. Although he was always busy serving others, his family never missed out and they remember their Dad always being there for them. He has passed on to them his love of a good joke, the joy of selflessly reaching out to and serving others and the pleasure of opening up the family table to share a meal with whoever may have needed it.
Selfless service to his community has been the hallmark of Arthur’s life. Whether it was in his various church roles, his willingness to take his first new car that he’d only owned for a week to Maitland to provide assistance with the 1955 flood relief effort or giving years of service to cricket in Newcastle – Arthur was always willing.
In an official capacity, Arthur served as Secretary of the Youth Revival Crusade for 40 years and as President of the Newcastle City and Suburban Cricket Association for over thirty years. Yet his years of tending to cricket wickets at seven local ovals – watering, mowing and rolling them so that they would be ready for competition genuinely reflect the servant heart of the man. Arthur’s passion for cricket and his desire to contribute practically saw him rise at 5:30am six days a week, of course never on a Sunday, to complete this task and it was not until he was 85 years old that he handed it on to others.
Arthur expected nothing in return. However, his efforts had not gone unnoticed and in 2014 he was awarded the Order of Australia for his services to cricket and the local community.
There is an old adage that tells us that you reap what you sow. Arthur Soper is a man who has certainly sown well – into his church, his family and his community. Now at Maroba, it is Arthur’s time for ‘the harvest’. Here, with his wife Joyce by his side he is able to enjoy the fellowship, friendship and support that comes with being a part of Maroba Caring Communities. Arthur is reaping the rewards of a life well spent and he’s now able to sit back and allow the Maroba team to serve him with the same love and respect that he has spent a lifetime showering upon others.
By Helen MacDonald, Volunteer
August 2020