1934 - 2022
Life Member & Event Team Champion
Arthur Humphreys sadly passed away last week, leaving behind a 20-year legacy of support and service to the Bicycle Network community.
Affectionately known as ‘King Arfa’, Arthur was recognised as a Life Member in 2013 following years of volunteering on our events and his weekly contributions in the Bicycle Network office.
The news of Arthur’s passing hit hard last week, leaving generations of the Bicycle Network community shocked and devastated to have lost such a good friend and kind man. Many former and current team members shared their favourite memories from working alongside Arthur, which were a testament to Arthur’s most beautiful and enduring strengths – his selflessness, kindness and cheeky spirit.
Bicycle Network’s CEO Craig Richards describes Arthur as one of the most selfless people he’s ever met. “He knew the secret to a happy life was helping others. He was always willing to do something for someone else and not expect anything in return. He was a true leader as through his actions, he inspired us all to be better people.”
Kahlia Dix, who worked alongside Arthur for the past six years in the events team, said: “honestly, the man never stopped helping. When he wasn’t helping at Bicycle Network, he was driving friends to doctor appointments, helping his grandkids with whatever they needed, fixing things about the house and supporting others in the community he lived in.”
On our events, Arthur was a long-serving Happy Helper on the Great Vic Bike Ride, where he and his good friend Roy became known as B1 & B2. Arthur also helped serve thousands of sausages to hungry riders on Around the Bay and in more recent years was the King of HQ, looking after the event management team each Thursday in the office throughout the year, and on event. Arthur also took great pride in managing many of the tedious tasks that follow events like sorting through lost and found.
Former event manager Sarah Greenwood-Smith said Arthur embodied the true spirit of volunteering. “He enjoyed helping riders, always with a smile, and was a quiet and calming presence for many of the other volunteers, team leaders and staff. Arfa could see when we needed some love and attention and would fill up our water bottles, bring us dinner and give us a gentle squeeze on the shoulder to make sure we knew he was looking out for us.”
Former Chief Operating Officer Darren Allen shared a similar experience, with Arthur taking the time to find and roll-out his swag for him on the busiest of Great Vic days. Darren said, “I shared that story recently, only to discover that he did that for me and every other event manager and coordinator before and after me for almost 20 years. I feel very special and delighted that I’m part of a massive group of people who will be forever grateful we crossed paths with the great man Arfa.”
Arthur had an incredible knack for making everyone who crossed his path feel special, with many team members recalling how conversations always easily flowed with genuine interest and laughter. Events General Manager Caitlin Borchers said “Arthur always wanted to know what was new in our lives, how the family was and what adventures we were planning.”
This also extended to riders, with Arthur taking personal requests on how riders wanted their sausages cooked at the Around the Bay BBQ, always delivering no matter how long the queue was.
In addition to his practical support, Arthur was truly committed to Bicycle Network’s purpose. At 87-years-old, Arthur still rode over 100km most weeks and enjoyed following his colleagues and friends’ adventures on Strava, often giving some cheek to those who weren’t keeping up their usual riding habits. He also helped many others find and keep their love of bike riding, and led social rides for his riding group.
Event Manager Jaimie Collins recalls Arthur helping the Bicycle Network team on a team ride day in Collingwood: “Arthur was on his e-bike looping back and forth to marshal the corners and support the back of the group to make sure no one got lost or left behind”.
Wherever it was, Arthur’s contribution and presence always made a difference. But perhaps most significant are the lessons that we have all learned from the way Arthur lived his life.
Arthur was always open to learning new things and skills, generous with his time and always looking for ways to keep his mind and body active. He was peaceful but energetic, a traditionalist but always up for new technology and modern thinking. He had extraordinary patience for helping young people but an urgency to get on with the task at hand; a passion for serving others and enjoying the rewards of life.
Arthur reminded us all that life was better when we slow down, that there’s always time for a cuppa, a hit of table tennis or story to be shared, that age is only a number, that adventures can be found anywhere and that there’s nothing more important than family, friends and our health.
Thursday’s will never be the same in our office without Arthur, but we’re incredibly grateful for the enormous contribution he made.
Farewell and happy riding to our King Arfa!
