Local identity Les Arndell, still lives on his own, has his licence and still drives, is very active in Rotary and is really enjoying life after his 100th birthday. In 1788 Captain Arthur Phillip landed in Botany Bay. On Board Friendship was Dr Thomas Arndell. Five generations of Arndell's later, on 27th June, 1916, Les Arndell was born in Armidale.
 
 
When Les and his wife, Ivy moved to the Central Coast, his first job working for the Red Bus Company as a mechanic and conducting tours. He borrowed 500 pounds from the bank and started Midway Motors, having a dealership for Land Rovers. Midway Motors became a very successful business on the site of the current Mitsubishi dealership at North Gosford.
 
In 1972 a new and very important part in the life of Les Arndell was about to begin. Rotary.
 
Les was approached to become the first President of a new Rotary Club about to be formed, Gosford North. With no knowledge of what Rotary was, he declined, but did become the second President. He is one of three Charter members still in the Club. The number of successful projects during his Presidency were remarkable.
 
Les held many Board positions in Rotary but it was in the International field where he excelled, being the District International Chairman for several years. He twice visited New Guinea on Rotary projects. Les also often flew District Governors to many parts of the country. He is a Paul Harris Fellow and remains very active and generous with his advice in Rotary matters.
 
Les is now one hundred and shows no signs of slowing down, attending Rotary nearly every week. He also attends the Club’s Rotary Wheel most Saturdays, being their best ticket seller. Few Rotarians achieve 100% attendance and his club believe he has achieved this by averaging participation in a Rotary project every week over the past year.
 
When asked what he owes his longevity to, Les gives many reasons. One is Rotary.
 
Gosford North Rotary Club offers a challenge. “Do any other Clubs in the world have a hundred-year-old member as active as Les?”
We believe Les is the ‘best active 100 year old Rotarian in the world’