Meet Josh Arbon and his heaps good South Aussie tattoo collection

We all love our state, but not as much as Josh because he’s turned his whole body into a tribute to SA greats from FruChocs to West End. See his pics, video.

Passionate South Australian Josh Arbon wears his heart on his sleeve – literally.

The Adelaide chef loves his home state so much, he’s immortalised some of SA’s most iconic brands and places with a series of tattoos on his left arm.

Starting with a West End tin in June last year, Mr Arbon, 29, has since added more than a dozen SA-focused tattoos, from The Malls Balls, to FruChocs, the Holden logo, Magic Mountain and the smiley fritz, just to name a few.

Fruchocs has found SA's most patriotic resident Josh Arbon who is covered in tattoos including FruChocs and West End. Picture: Tom Huntley.

He said it’s his way of showing “appreciation and support” for all things South Australian.

“I just love SA to bits. This is just me doing my part for SA, being my patriotic self,” said Mr Arbon, who works at the Prince Albert Hotel in Gawler.

“At first I got the West End tin when West End (Brewery) was shutting down in SA. Then I thought ‘You know what? We’re not going to lose everything in SA, because I’m going to keep it right here on my arm’. It’s become a real SA sleeve and it’s gone from there.”

Born and bred in Adelaide, Mr Arbon said much of his ink represented fond memories from his childhood, many of which he’s passed onto his three-year-old son, Noah.

Fruchoc has found SA's most patriotic resident Josh Arbon who is covered in tattoos including FruChocs, on September 30th, 2021, at Rundle Mall. Picture: Tom Huntley

Fruchocs has found SA's most patriotic resident Josh Arbon who is covered in tattoos including West End. Picture: Tom Huntley.

Fruchoc has found SA's most patriotic resident Josh Arbon who is covered in tattoos including The Malls Balls. Picture: Tom Huntley

Fruchocs has found SA's most patriotic resident Josh Arbon who is covered in tattoos including the Rocking Horse. Picture: Tom Huntley.

Fruchocs has found SA's most patriotic resident Josh Arbon who is covered in tattoos including FruChocs and West End. Picture: Tom Huntley.

“The frog cake was a big part of my childhood and I’ve instilled that in my little boy Noah, he loves them,” he said.

“The Rocking Horse has always been a favourite spot of mine. I’ve been cracking open West Ends for over ten years … Magic Mountain will always top The Beach House, I’m sorry to say.”

He also marked the death of legendary Adelaide baker Vilmos ‘Vili’ Milisits in March with the unmistakeable “Vili’s” logo.

“After Vili died, I decided to get that one to pay tribute to him,” he said.

Now Mr Arbon is getting behind confectionary company Robern Menz’s push to make FruChocs’ Appreciation Day on Friday, an annual public holiday. An online petition has so far garnered thousands of signatures.

Fruchocs has found SA's most patriotic resident Josh Arbon who is covered in tattoos including FruChocs and West End. Picture: Tom Huntley.

Fruchocs has found SA's most patriotic resident Josh Arbon who is covered in tattoos including Vili's. Picture: Tom Huntley.

“SA could use a few more public holidays and FruChocs should definitely be one of them. I love them, they’re the best,” said Mr Arbon, who will be in Rundle Mall on Friday for the FruChoc festivities from 10am.

So what’s next for SA’s most patriotic man? Mr Arbon, who hopes to become an official SA Tourism ambassador, said he’s open to suggestions for a new tattoo.

“I want to support a local small business and maybe get on social media … they need a boost after Covid-19,” he said.

“If anyone has any ideas, I’m more than happy to take your opinions into consideration.”