 His legacy |
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Tell a story about Robert
Dad always loved a good story and he always loved to tell stories about his friends and his life. He wanted us all to remember him by these stories and he would have wanted us to share them with others. So speak freely, and share with us all. He will look down on us all and be thankful, for this is how he would have wanted it.
(Adding a story opens a link to the website manager who will then add the story to the website. Rest assured all submissions will be posted in a timely manner. Your email will be kept private during this process unless chosen otherwise)
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Dad's Favourite Things
* Baked potatoes
* Roast Dinner - especially the leg of lamb bone
* Swimming
* Surf and the Ocean
* Gardening & unsually plants
* Sea shells, corks, pebbles, oyster shells, unusual pots for the garden
* weight lifting, gym, running
* studying for work and leisure
* traveling around the world to see other places and for work, loved America (Nevada and Port O Rico)
* Loved chinese food, hot chips, lollies especially black jelly beans
* Loved rock and roll music and up very loud
* Loved collecting newpaper clippings, articles, bits and pieces for his grandchildren to use in projects and to read
* Loved books especially crime books
* Loved writting letters of complaints if he thought some thing was not right would do every thing he could to correct it
* Loved the Shield
* Favourite colour is yellow and blue
* Favourite flowers roses, orchids, bonsis, broms, stags
* Loved spending time with his family and grandchildren (had the grandchildren each school holidays)
* Loved visiting the Maritine Museum in Sydney with grandchildren James and Sarah
* Loved collecting model boats and fishing items
* Loved fishing and boating
* Loved frogs and started up a frog business for a short while
* Had a hugh collection of videos, dvd's and cd's plus records for all sorts
* Loved his computer and mobile phone
* Always was loosing his mobile phone and glasses
* Looking like a gentleman
* Loved buying presents for everyone and they always had so much thought into them and they were sometime very unusual
* Loved repairing "One Day James" an old wooden clinker he had restored for James
* Loved parties, dinners, bbq's, getting together with family and friends
* Loved his cup of coffee and tea
* Loved chilli lime cordial from Morpeth in the Hunter Valley NSW
* Loved reading books, magazines, newspapers
* Loved traveling by train to the city rather than driving
* Loved both his holiday homes that he had
* Loved telling me not to bite my finger nails (Linda) _ Dad they are growing now will send you a photo soon
* Loved wearing old business shoes in the gardens some times with socks but with shorts and polo shirts - looked funny
* Allways helping others before doing anything for himself
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Dad was asked to answer questions about his life for a school assignment - these were his answers
How did you handle growing up when you were a teenager?
Until I was a teenager 'growing up' was not the most pleasant time of my life - I had little if any interaction with my parents, I think this was beacuse I was what would be now diagnosed as being 'ADHD' - in those days there was no medical definition only a finding that such people (particulary children) were either rebellious or plain disobedient.
As a result I was continually in trouble which affected both my home life and schooling. Physical punishment in both these places was routine and painful. However, this only led to greater rebellion - even in sport where people suffering from this condition usually blossom - I found that my physical drive led me to desire or in fact demand recognition in all my sporting choices. Again this in turn led to constant sidelining as I was accused of being too rough in my desire to win. For example I was banned from Rugby League because I broke the captain's leg in a game.
Being an 'ADHD' student was certainly a challenge. For example, I remember an Arab teacher throwing a blackboard duster at me in class and it hit my head and split it open. The pain did not worry me, I simply picked up the duster and threw it back at him, striking him in the head and making an even bigger split in his head - this in many forms continued every day of my school life. School and notes home promised even more punishment each night.
I knew within myself that I had a problem but there being no recognition of it in the community led to me feeling ostracised from mainstream acceptance. There was little if any acceptance by my family and this continued through my adult years up until my father died and I was sent a message not to attend his funeral - still rebellious, I did attend with my grandmother - but from that day on she too was ostracised. Coming from a wealthy family I guess you could say I was the family embarrassment!
Did you find it to be a difficult period of your life? why or why not?
My teenage years strangely enough brought some relief. I had to leave school at fourteen and commence work with the railways - which I hated. I used to sit at my office desk and watch the clouds slip by - wishing I was on the outside and not 'controlled' within a job I hated.
I joined a local gym and met up with some great guys (women did not attend gyms in those days) and through constant training and under their tutelage I was able to find a challending physical outlet for all my pent up energy. On a weekend we used to spend the time at the beach, surfing and snorkelling (only the rich could afford surfboards), but those days were excellent times and even to this day I have friendships with the same guys - many of whom has similar problems in life - and did we have fun travelling up and down the coast, bar-b-queuing the fish we caught at night and continually chasing the many girls that were always present.
Cigarettes were in fact the only real 'addiction' that the guys experienced/enjoyed, alcohol was too expensive and drugs both illegal and prescription were never even discussed - if abuse with these occured it was outside our group. Gambling was rare again because of our money rations - not withstanding the fact that we all worked.
As the years slipped by I made two decisions:
(1) To join the Police Force - the alternative was to become a career criminal and
(2) To go to university which was unheard of in the outer western suburbs.
There is no doubt that the continuous concentration on our 'physical training' was a key factor in making this time period so much fun and a turing point for my future.
What magazines did you read?
Comics were a favourite and a big collector's item. Surfing and fishing magazines were then only just starting to emerge and 'Post' and 'People' magazines were devoured and allowed dreams to be realised - if only for a short period of time. Financial considerations again impacted upon us in this regard and any magazines we received were re-cycled amongst the group many times.
What television programs did you enjoy?
Until my very late teenage years we did not have television. My primary television viewing was watching a screen in a shop each night - many people in those days still thought television was 'evil'. Walt Disney programs were a top favourite - both the cartoons and also the first level of documentaries - all of which were in black and white. Later 'six o clock rock' became a 'must watch' show which also allowed us to catch up on fashion changes in suburbs where money was in abundance.
Who did you aspire to?
I guess the French Legion of Honour and African Adventurers where the two areas that held my attention and developed my drive for travel, achievement and adventure.
Who motivated you?
My principle motivator was a Chinese Karate Teacher who taught me discipline, determination, fairness and a never ending belief that everyone was equal no matter their wealth or power.
What or who did you want to be when you were a teenager?
In descending order:
(1) Farmer
(2) Adventurer any
(3) Police Officer.
What sort of music did you listen to?
Rock and Roll was the best. Latin American and Jazz followed in that order.
What sport did you enjoy?
Spear fishing, swimming, surfing, gym training, Karate, running and wresting. The banning of me from team sport at school led me to concentrate on individual sports.
What foods did you enjoy?
Favourites - seafood (either caught by myself or at group bar-b-ques - finances permitting), loved vegetables, ate fruit beacuse of training. Chickens and steak only appeared on special occasions. I ended up growing a lot of my own vegetable.
What did you do for entertainment?
Sports as outlined above, travelling in groups in our cars to out of the way places and the occasional dance.
If you could change a part of your life as a kid, what would it be?
I would much earlier seek out a strong mentor (I guess these days they are called Life Coaches), someone you could confide in without judgement and who harnessed all your best qualities into a range of achievements. Often friends are far more reliable, honest and loyal than family.
Do you have any advice for kids today?
Yes. See the word as a continual and never ending source of adventure and challenge. Live every day as though it will be your last beacue one day it will be. Travel extensively to learn and help others and more importantly to realise just how lucky we are here in Australia. Always carring with you the thought - 'What right have you got to believe that you will be alive next week?' Nothing but absolutely nothing is beyond you - all you need is the determination to get there - but do not do it in a way that on realising that goal you will regret any hurt that you may have imposed. Most importantly always smile no matter what - and when in pain (physical and emotional) again remember those within our communities that have no legs or arms etc - you are well placed to make this world a better place - get out and just do it.
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Our memory project for Dad
Our memory project for Dad
St Phillip's Christian College Cessnock
Library Fundraiser
Dad was into reading, learning and extending his education. Dad studied at many universities in Australia and overseas and was always reading or writting.
Dad introduced my children to the world of books, papers and writting. He always told them to read read read, get to learn everything as the world is a large place.
As a family we wanted to have a legacy to him and the things he loved, so we came up with the idea of a library for our childrens college. Our college has only been open since 2005 and currently does not have a library.
We are fundraising full time this year for the library with a variety of fundraising events taking place. From our fundraising our school will be able to purchase new books, resources & equipment for the library.
Reading is an extremely important part of a child’s education & recreation. Having our library up to date with books, resources & equipment we will be able to encourage our children to borrow books to read & also to build on their knowledge & self development for our community & their future.
Next Fundraiser
Dinner / Dance / General & Sport Memorabilia Auction & Live Christian Band
  
(The Doomsday Preachers from Sydney)
Date: 2nd June
Place: East Cessnock Bowling Club Cessnock
(In the beautiful Hunter Valley of NSW Australia)
Time: 6pm
Tickets: $ 25.00 Adults
$ 12.00 Children 10 & Under
With out the meal $10.00 Adult $5.00 Childen 10 & Under
2 course meal, nibbles during the night, live band and dancing, live and silent auctions
Bookings: Please call me on 49362772 or email me at plantair@bigpond.com
Unable to come ?
A list of the live & silent auction items is available for you to preview beforehand & place a bid.
If you wish to make a donation to the college
please make a cheque payable to:-
St Phillip's Christian College Cessnock
and post to
Linda Baker 50 Aberdare Street Kurri Kurri NSW 2327
Receipts will be issued for tax purposes.
Every small donation is an extra book for the library.
WE THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR HELP.
Raised so far as at -
23rd March 2007 $ 1014.40
At the end of 2007 we raised a total of $8072.80 over the year, thank you to all who sent payments in to me through this website a total of $422.00.
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