Bervin E. Purnell
Bervin Ellis Purnell MBE JP (10 March 1891 – 5 May 1972) was mayor and councillor of the City of Geelong, Australia.
Purnell was the second of seven children of Charles William Purnell (1854–1931) and Ellen McNair (c. 1862–1939). Purnell attended Flinders State School in Geelong, where he enjoyed running around the block. From here the young Purnell developed an interest in athletics.
As a book keeper in his father's furniture business from 1905–1917, it was natural that the young Purnell would be the Geelong Presbyterian Guild Harriers Athletic Club's first treasurer. He combined this with the secretary's job and was instrumental in founding the Guild Harriers through the Geelong Presbyterian Guild group.
After the Guild folded in 1913, Purnell continued his athletic interests through membership of the Hawthorn Harriers in Melbourne. In early 1917 Purnell enlisted in the Australian Flying Corps and married prior to sailing for England. Purnell was an Air Mechanic 1st Class and served in the spare parts storeroom at Salisbury Plain. Following the end of the war, Purnell spent over six months with Waring & Gillow, a noted furniture firm in London, during 1919. Purnell returned to Australia in late 1919 and resumed his manager's position at his father's firm in 1920.
After the war Purnell, former club president David F. Griffiths (died 1941) and others; encouraged by the successes of the Christ Church club (Geelong City AC); restored the Geelong Guild Athletic Club. Purnell returned as the Guild club's secretary and treasurer and remained in those positions until the early 1950s.
Purnell married May Violet Sandford (1896–1975) in 1917. They never had children. In 1924 they purchased a house in Meakin Street, East Geelong, where many Guild committee meeting were held.
Purnell was Guild secretary/treasurer then president, as well as team manager of the Guild's early cross country teams competing in the Melbourne Victorian Amateur Athletic Association's (V.A.A.A.) winter competitions.
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