He was the second of seven children born to Elvie and Ephraim German, who, several years later, moved their family to a small farm at Waaia where the children attended school.
It became obvious to teaching staff that Arthur was in possession of a unique memory and a rare ability to retain information, which saw him awarded dux of his class on several occasions.
At the age of 11, Arthur lost the sight in his right eye and spent 12 days in the Eye and Ear Hospital in Melbourne. Quite a daunting experience for the young country boy. He didn’t receive one visitor, not even his family.
However, on the day he was discharged, Arthur was in for a big treat, a trip to the Royal Melbourne Show. His first outing on his own with his father, and something they both enjoyed.
Reaching the age of 14, the young man was done with school and ready to experience what lay ahead for him in the school of life.
He was offered a carpentry apprenticeship in Numurkah, later moving to Horsham where he began work at 7am each morning. He didn’t really enjoy it, as the dry conditions of Horsham were not suitable for asthma sufferers.
He then took on various odd jobs, including digging light poles. It was hard work at just 50 cents an hour.
At the age of 14, he was selected to play football in the senior side with Waaia, owing to a lack of junior teams at the club. It was to be his first senior game.
At the age of 18, Arthur thought he had found the love of his life. When invited to meet her parents and asked by the mother what work he did, Arthur was devastated to see the woman’s face drop in disappointment when he told her he was working in construction. From that day forward, Arthur was determined to make something of himself and be successful at whatever he set his mind to.
Obtaining construction work, he lived in a tent for two years while working at Numurkah, Dookie College and Shepparton.
Arthur thoroughly enjoyed the camaraderie he shared with his fellow workers and proved popular among them despite his young age. He was a skilled raconteur who provided entertaining company, a young man who always remembered the important details of a story: names, dates and circumstances.
To this day, at the age of 84, Arthur continues to amaze all with his general knowledge and recall of events that took place more than 50 years ago.
A photographic memory is described as ‘the ability to recall images and lifelong details after minimal exposure’. A rare skill.
By the time he reached the age of 18, Arthur stood at 5ft, 10in, weighing 13 stone, 12oz.
He was athletic and strongly built while playing at Numurkah Football Club and enjoyed fantastic success, being selected in the ‘team of the quarter-century’ in the Picola League. He won best-and-fairest in his first season and again in 1961. He represented the MFL against North Melbourne in 1962, played in the MFL grand final in 1964 and won best-and-fairest in 1965. Young Arthur, who didn’t believe he was anything special, was also included in the team of the decade at Numurkah.
Pick up a copy of next week’s Courier for part two. Turn to page six of the January 28 paper for news on a special award Arthur has just picked up.
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