Following his education at the village school, Ahern had to support himself – the family farm could not adequately provide for him and his five brothers.
[1] In 1922 he was offered the opportunity to manage the Quinlan family's store Robertson and Moffat's Successors, which sold drapery and furniture.
[1] Their third, Tom, was born in 1919, and became a doctor and was an honorary consultant ear, nose and throat surgeon at Royal Perth Hospital.
[1] Ahern was also pointed a papal knight of St Sylvester in Rome in 1927, whilst on a trip to Europe; and a justice of the peace in 1940.
[1] By 1997 Aherns had grown to employ 1500 workers, and had stores in Rockingham, Claremont, Booragoon and Karrinyup, in addition to the original Hay Street location.