Vale Robert Arnold Jenkins
February 4, 1942 – January 29, 2022
The Kyneton community is mourning the loss of beloved local legend Arnold Jenkins who died on January 29.
Arnold was a born entertainer who was known for wanting everyone to be happy.
He was the longest-serving member of the Kyneton Horticultural Society and gave much of his time to make flower shows a success over many years.
Arnold worked in aged care locally for decades, bringing joy to residents at Bupa, RM Begg and the former Thomas Hogan wing at the Kyneton Hospital.
As a ‘lifestyle coordinator’, he organised entertainment and activities that put a spring in people’s step.
Arnold’s friends described him as a champion of people and causes, full of care and compassion for people.
One of his friends, Jim Noy, said that for three quarters of a century Arnold had given joy to “all of Kyneton”.
“His kindness and contributions to individuals and the community in that time far exceeds what many have done in a full century,” Jim said.
“He had a way with all people but especially elderly ones.”
Arnold’s ‘way with people’ was formed when he was just a young boy.
He was sweet but somewhat wayward, and was always off adventuring.
Arnold would befriend the swaggies at the swamp and the Italian prisoners of war working as farm hands under his father at HB Smith’s property.
Arnold was for decades loved for his singing and acting performances with the Redesdale Revellers, the Rotary Choir and the Kyneton Theatre Company’s ‘Funsters’, more often than not teaming up with his comedic partner, the late Lyn Brown, another well-known local identity.
In 1970 the theatre company put on a review and toured under the name of The Funsters, raising money for Kyneton’s One-Act Play Festival.
The show was a hit and they were in high demand.
The Revellers were formed as a fundraiser for the Redesdale Hall.
Arnold was a school bus driver for many years and was loved by the school children on his rounds. He was also a scout leader for quite some time.
He loved to participate in the annual Anzac Day service and present the Daffodil Festival parade entrants to the crowds, as they marched along Mollison street, on the mic.
Arnold was very proud to be selected as the ‘king’ of the Daffodil Festival twice and Kyneton Citizen of the Year in 1984.
He was always generous with his time in countless community organisations and worked tirelessly for the Kyneton Football Club, working in the kitchen at many functions.
Arnold will be remembered for always turning a negative into a positive, and for his utterly infectious laugh.
This wonderful and generous man was truly cherished, not only by his family, but by so many of the Kyneton community.
He will be greatly missed.
