What Retirement?
As teaching had been Arthur Shannon's main purpose in life for so many years, he was reluctant to abandon all contact with schools and children in his retirement.
Soon after his official teaching role ended in 1973, Arthur responded to an advertisement in a local suburban newspaper seeking volunteers to take youngsters from a children's' home for outings on Saturday afternoons.
This weekend commitment to entertain boys from St. John's Boys Home in Canterbury increased when he was asked to give coaching to some of the boys who attended Balwyn Primary School.
Arthur also coached other youngsters at the school who benefited from
one-on-one teaching, particularly with reading.
So began a long and rewarding association with the home and the school.
Over many years, two days each week, Arthur made a 27 kilometre, one hour, round trip from his home to the Balwyn School. (See Google map, below right.)
When he could no longer drive, Arthur Shannon rode on two trams each way to get to the school. When he could no longer manage tram travel he hired taxis.
Despite increasing pain as his health deteriorated, Arthur continued to to attend the Balwyn Primary School until about two months before he died.
The kids loved him.
Arthur was honoured with a Rotary Club Community Service Award for his long involvement with remedial teaching. Rotary also donated a computer to the St. John's Home in his honour.
Soon after his official teaching role ended in 1973, Arthur responded to an advertisement in a local suburban newspaper seeking volunteers to take youngsters from a children's' home for outings on Saturday afternoons.
This weekend commitment to entertain boys from St. John's Boys Home in Canterbury increased when he was asked to give coaching to some of the boys who attended Balwyn Primary School.
Arthur also coached other youngsters at the school who benefited from
one-on-one teaching, particularly with reading.
So began a long and rewarding association with the home and the school.
Over many years, two days each week, Arthur made a 27 kilometre, one hour, round trip from his home to the Balwyn School. (See Google map, below right.)
When he could no longer drive, Arthur Shannon rode on two trams each way to get to the school. When he could no longer manage tram travel he hired taxis.
Despite increasing pain as his health deteriorated, Arthur continued to to attend the Balwyn Primary School until about two months before he died.
The kids loved him.
Arthur was honoured with a Rotary Club Community Service Award for his long involvement with remedial teaching. Rotary also donated a computer to the St. John's Home in his honour.
Many youngsters at both the Balwyn and Moorabin schools benefitted from voluntary one-on-one coaching from Arthur Shannon after his official retirement.
Arthur's involvement with St. John's Boys Home saw friendships develop with several youngsters over the years.
Several friendships continued until the time of Arthur's death.
The children of one former St. Johns boy, who Arthur mentored for many years , adopted Arthur as an "Honorary Granddad" . He spent many happy times with the family, including his 90th Birthday Celebrations and several Christmases. On one occasion at Christmas he dressed as "Santa" for the children.
Arthur's involvement with St. John's Boys Home saw friendships develop with several youngsters over the years.
Several friendships continued until the time of Arthur's death.
The children of one former St. Johns boy, who Arthur mentored for many years , adopted Arthur as an "Honorary Granddad" . He spent many happy times with the family, including his 90th Birthday Celebrations and several Christmases. On one occasion at Christmas he dressed as "Santa" for the children.
The above photos record some of the happy times Arthur spent with Skender Cameron's family in Sydney.
Arthur had an affinity with the children he taught and later with the children of his many friends.