1917 ~ 2003

Arthur was educated in Victoria at the Princes Hill State School and at Wesley College, before studying medicine at the Melbourne University 1936-1941.

After graduation, he joined the Army on 25-06-1942 and spent the next few years at 45 Camp Hospital in Larrimah, Northern Territory.

After discharge on 21-07-1945, he worked as a pathologist at the Repatriation General Hospital at Caulfield and then on to Heidelberg specializing in malaria and other tropical parasitic diseases.

Arthur and Margaret married in 1970. For the next 7 years, Arthur worked as a locum in various Hospital Pathology Departments, then retired to look after his orchids and other garden plants, to play bridge and to enjoy music.

Arthur joined the Victorian Orchid Club in about 1950 and built up a modest orchid collection. He had a property on Mount Dandenong where he grew his orchids in a glasshouse to counter the cold winters. His collection consisted of paphiopedilums, a few cymbidiums and cattleyas which he grew to perfection.

Knowing his interest in orchids, he was invited to join Bill Paddock, Dr Bill Rigg and Gerald McCraith, who were having legal problems in forming The Australian Orchid Foundation (AOF). These problems were not resolved until 27th April, 1976. Arthur attended all meetings and interviews during the thirty months that were involved. He played an important role with the regulators before the AOF was listed as a Public Company limited by guarantee. It was a difficult time made easier by his involvement.

At the Annual Meeting of the AOF in October 1994, Gerald McCraith decided to stand down as Chairman of Directors. He nominated Arthur Parkin to be Chairman of Directors as from the 1st January, 1995. This was passed unanimously. Arthur subsequently carried out this roll diligently until his passing on 4th August 2003.

Tribute by Gerald McCraith AM

A donation has been made to the Australian Orchid Trust by the Directors of The Australian Orchid Foundation.

AOTF: 2349