Information from 3 magazine/newspaper clippings supplied by Blanche Boorman, the widow of Arthur Boorman
At the 1986 shell show Arthur Boorman was delighted to receive the Alan Hinton trophy for Cassis. President, Allan Davidson lends a hand.
For over twenty years, I have known and enjoyed the company of two very special and enjoyable people - Blanche and Arthur Boorman. The Kepple Bay shell club has been very fortunate indeed to have the assistance of the 'Boormans'. Sadly on Christmas Eve, Arthur left us and filled our hearts with sorrow.
Arthur loved his shells and spent many a peaceful hour, cleaning, naming, arranging them or discussing his hobby with other enthusiasts. He was a perfectionist and many an ordinary, imperfect shell was transformed to a thing of beauty in his hands. His main interests centered around the olives and nassarius and his collection of the latter would rival any in Australia. The shell shows saw many of their beautiful shells on display and one highlight that comes to mind was the happy acceptance of the Alan Hinton trophy for cassis at the last show- Arthur was delighted with the imposing standard lamp and table. He was always generous and willing to share his finds.
Their hobby took them on many trips around Australia and overseas and Blanche & Arthur were well known in shelling circles. They acted as judges at many shell shows and on these trips, made many lifelong friends and also collected articles for the tidings. Overseas trips were made to the Solomans and Vanuatu with good friends Elsi and Dick Cobb.
Their hospitality was unquestionable and many a friend has been welcome to their home at 14 Hartly Street.
Blanche and Arthur visited many reef islands but two seemed special - Bushy and Wilson. On one trip to pine peak island., Arthur found a missing member of the party and this entailed quite a hike up a rather steep slope. Perhaps, it was the result of his knowledge gleaned from being president of the scout group to which his sons, John and Ricky belonged.
Arthur worked for Telecom in many centres in Queensland - Brisbane, Cairns, Camboon, Sarina, Mackay, Biloela and Rockhampton, retiring in Rocky in 1974.
Blanche and Arthur enjoyed their 47 years of marriage and happily shared their hobbies. An interest in shells was the result of Arthur's fishing trips as he often brought home smelly specimens to be cleaned.
They joined the Rock Club and the Shell Club (in 1963) but shells took preference - they found shellers a friendly lot. Blanche's circle of friends extends throughout the world and tributes to Arthur have poured in from all parts of australia and overseas.
Our thoughts are very much with Blanche and her family at this time
Tugged at my heart strings. How much more significant are they when we think of
Arthur - "We'll really miss you, good friend!"
Second clipping .... by Thora Whitehead
Arthur spend his working life with the PGM/Telecom and in 1964 he and his wife
Blanche became interested in shells and joined the Kepple Bay shell club. Since
then he has become well known as a judge at shell shows up and down Queensland
and to numerous collectors passing through Rockhampton. His presence and dry
humour at these functions will be sorely missed. He is survived by Blanche and
their two sons.
Third clipping .... by Thora Whitehead
Queensland shellers received sad news on Christmas eve of the passing of Arthur Boorman of Rockhampton.
Arthur and his wife Blanche have been very keen collectors for many years. In that time they have become one of Queenslands best known and loved shelling couples. Stalwart members of the Kepple Bay shell club on their home ground and members of numerous other shell clubs and societies around the world, they traveled widley in Australia and overseas collecting and visiting shell friends. Most Queensland collectors have enjoyed the warm welcome at the Boormans household, as have many overseas visitors. Their door was always open.
Arthurs enthusiasm for shells was boundless. His retirement some years back saw him busier than ever, working on their large world-wide collection. I well remember my surprise on the first morning of a week-long visit to find that, only minuits after the breakfast table had been cleared, Arthur had started work there identifying some 'Ancilla' species with the help of Kilburn's revision of the genus!
The Olividae and Nassariidae were Arthur's favourites, and the Boorman collections of these were extensive.
Arthur will be sorely missed by all of us. Although basically a man of few words,
he was never, at a loss when asked for an opinion on a shell. That opinion
was respected.