Murray Bridge historian Ken Wells turns 90
He has been a central figure in the community for generations, and he’s still going strong.
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When it comes to the history of Murray Bridge, Ken Wells OAM might know more than anyone – after all, he has lived through much of it.
He was born in the same year as Murray Bridge’s radio station and newspaper; he was there, laying sandbags, during the ‘56 flood; he helped the Murray Bridge Show society move to the east side in 1966, and has a pavilion named after him.
Last year he was awarded an Order of Australia Medal for his contributions to the community.
Then, last week, he celebrated his 90th birthday.
“I’ve lived my whole life in Murray Bridge, I’ve stuck around and I’m still here,” he said proudly at a gathering at the Murray Bridge Club.
“When I retired, why shift?”
After growing up on the family farm on Long Island Road, and traipsing through the paddocks to get to school in town, he later worked at Murray Bridge High School as a maintenance man, among many other roles – the show society, the garden and floral art club, the rowing club, Scouts, the Uniting Church, Resthaven and the historical society among them.
“I’ve enjoyed every bit of it, watching Murray Bridge grow,” he said.
As to the meaning of the milestone birthday: “It’s no different than 85 or 80,” he insisted.
