Arnold Desmond Gough, a well-known Shepparton photographer, Rotarian and community-minded businessman, died peacefully at Banksia Lodge Aged Care, Kialla, on Monday, November 24. He was 94.
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Born on February 2, 1931, in Brunswick to Albert ‘Bert’ Gough and Thelma (née Griffin), Arnold’s early years were shaped by movement, music and responsibility well beyond his age.
His family lived in a railway house at Sea Lake before moving to Dandenong and Albert Park, eventually settling in Mooroopna, where his parents bought a home in Elizabeth St for £800.
Arnold attended Mooroopna Primary School and, during his final years, became the local paperboy.
He was allowed to leave school 15 minutes early to complete his round at lunchtime — an early sign of the work ethic that would define his life.
Music was another early passion.
He played his grandfather’s cornet with the Mooroopna Brass Band and later recalled the thrill of marching with massed bands through Numurkah.
World War II left a deep impression.
Arnold was eight when the war began, and 14 when it ended, and his father was away for four and a half years.
As a result, Arnold became “the man of the house”, taking on chores and responsibilities.
He remembered rationing, air-raid drills and listening to short-wave radio, as well as the joy when peace was declared, and returning soldiers drove down the causeway to cheering crowds — some even dancing in the streets.
After riding his bike daily from Mooroopna to Shepparton High School, Arnold left school with excellent health and near-perfect attendance.
Sport quickly became central to his life.
Encouraged by Rod McDonald, he took up golf and eventually achieved a handicap of 12 at Shepparton Golf Club.
He also played cricket for many years, representing the Shepparton Cricket Association, and was a boundary umpire and second-grade footballer with Mooroopna.
Photography, however, would become his enduring passion.
Starting with a Kodak Box Brownie, Arnold soon upgraded his equipment and skills.
After working at the Commonwealth Bank and later as a bookkeeper and accountant, he began photographing weddings on weekends.
“His favourite photo he ever took was the Shepparton Post Office, the old post office,” daughter Toni Gough said.
“I think he took the very last photo of it before they had it demolished — he was very proud of it.”
While working at Orrman’s Garage as an accountant, Arnold met Astrid Orrman, the boss’s daughter.
They became engaged on Christmas Eve 1957 and married on August 23, 1958.
Together, they built a photography studio in Wyndham St, a home in Regent St, and later expanded into a camera and record shop in Fryers St.
Their daughters, Ingrid and Toni, were born in 1960 and 1965, respectively.
In 1978, Arnold closed the studio to focus on retail, and the business flourished.
Arnold joined the Rotary Club of Shepparton in 1970, one of many volunteer organisations in which he was involved.
He became president in 1979 and “had perfect attendance (at meetings) for 30 years”.
“Dad was always willing to help, and wanting to help people, too,” Toni said.
“Money wasn’t everything to him.
“He was a hard worker but understood the struggles people had, too.”
He was particularly proud of Rotary’s International Village concept following Expo ’88 and of local projects such as the picnic area at the lake.
Arnold and Astrid retired in 1984 at age 53, though retirement was anything but quiet.
Arnold helped establish Toni’s equestrian centre, supported Ingrid’s motorcycle business and later a Made in Shepp shop, took up picture framing, and loved emceeing tourist displays on Toni’s farm.
Travel was another joy, from family holidays to Rosebud to extended winter trips to Queensland.
In 2001, Arnold survived an asystolic arrest and received a pacemaker.
As his memory declined, the couple downsized to Kialla Gardens and volunteered at Banksia Lodge.
After a hip fracture, Arnold moved into full-time care, where staff “treated him like family”.
Following Astrid’s death on August 16, 2025, Arnold’s health declined rapidly.
“It was very difficult for him ... he had a broken heart,” Toni said.
“But he had a great life, he really did.
“He worked hard, and he looked after us and his community.”
Arnold is survived by his daughters, Ingrid and Toni, his sons-in-law, Geoff and Milton, and his grandchildren, Mandy, Kim and Thomas.
Remembered as honest, generous and endlessly cheerful, he leaves behind a legacy of service, creativity and deep community connection.