The late Keith Swinton – who died in April this year – fell short of his 100^th birthday by three weeks.

A Warrnambool icon born just before the start of World War I, Keith was part of a family dynasty that lays claim to having Victoria’s (and perhaps Australia’s) oldest continuing retail business name – George Swinton and Sons.

The business was established in 1865 by his Scottish grandparents William and Ann Swinton and carried on by his father George and mother Florence.

In Leonard Joel’s 95^th year as an auction house, head of art Sophie Ullen reflects in the latest catalogue on how the business has adapted to changing Australian and European art trends while retaining its eclectic appetite for all fine art periods as the company gets ready for its fine art auction from 6.30pm Tuesday September 16 at 333 Malvern Road, South Yarra.

“It seems to me that in 2014 a street art auction, a contemporary art sale or even the estate of Pro Hart sits as comfortably at Leonard Joel as the traditional fine art categories,” she said.

A comprehensive and fascinating collection purchased direct from Europe and through Australian specialists will be auctioned from 2pm Sunday September 14 at Mossgreen 926-930 High Street, Armadale.

Comprising more than 400 lots and assembled over four decades, the collection includes rare works of art from the Middle Ages and 15^th to 18^th centuries and is an unprecedented sale for Australia.

John Reid was a Warrnambool businessman, Rotarian and icon who spent much of his 94 years working for the good of the town.

In 1948, he established an electrical shop, which by 1967 was better known as John Reid’s Music Store where town residents could purchase the latest in musical instruments and records – the place to be seen for any aspiring musician.

For 57 years, he also was an active stalwart of the Warrnambool Rotary Club.