Page 10 The Moorabool News – 1 February, 2022
Email - news@themooraboolnews.com.au
Bob Closter (Citizen of the Year) celebrated his award with daughters (L-R) Robyn, Maria and Donna.
Australia Day in Moorabool By Helen Tatchell We are one and, we’re all part of the story, that is Australia Day. Held last Wednesday 26 January at the Bacchus Marsh Public Hall, a restricted crowd was able to attend, due to COVID limitations, with the annual event also livestreamed on Council’s website. Moorabool Mayor Tom Sullivan said it is a day to reflect on the resilience of communities, and a day to reflect on what it means to be Australian. “It is also a day to celebrate contemporary Australia and to acknowledge our history. “We can and should respect the stories of others. We are all part of this story, and we are all part of the Australian history,” he said. The day started with the mayor’s speech followed by announcing and presenting of awards and certificates of appreciation to members of the community. Whilst Bob Closter was declared Citizen of the Year, Trevor Crawford and Susanna McPherson were nominees in the category, and presented with certificates from Mayor Tom Sullivan. A Mayor Award was presented to Karen Pinder in recognition of her mission to “Mask the Marsh” during another year impacted by the COIVD-19 pandemic. “Karen has been selfless and relentless in her ongoing mission, providing over 4700 masks to children and adults, free of charge,” Cr Sullivan said. “The Mayor Award recognises Karen’s commitment to her community, and a way of thanking her for her efforts.” There is a saying ‘they save the best for last’, and that was 88-year old Bob Closter. Born in Bacchus Marsh, playing football and cricket for both Maddingley and the Marsh, his main love from early on was horses. He gave an enormous amount of time coaching and helping young children with their horses. Cr Sullivan said Bob was a great horseman and his work at the local pony club was never ending. “He held various roles throughout the decades at the club including instructor, coach, committee member, president and groundskeeper, and up until recently spent hours on the tractor slashing grass at the Racecourse Reserve,” he said.
“I take this opportunity to congratulate Bob for his outstanding service to Moorabool Shire.” Mr Closter attended with his three daughters, brother Bill, friends, and nominee Barry Tanner. “It was a real surprise for me to be up here today to be quite honest,” Mr Closter said. Having been brought up behind a fruit shop in Bacchus Marsh, Mr Closter said they were unfortunate to lose their dad early in life, and along with his brother Bill were virtually reared by his mother, alone, from the ages of seven and four, “and mum still ran the fruit shop for years”. “Getting back to my life with the horses. I loved the horses and still do. My grandparents on my mother’s side showed horses in buggy’s. I was taught by my Aunty to ride, and I have been around the Shows, back in the day. Even riding in gymkhanas at Maddingley Park and Darley Park,” he said. “When I joined the Pony Club, they had nothing at all. Reg Wittick would bring jumping rails and 44-gallon drums for wings, and it went from there. The Bacchus Marsh club once boasted a strong membership of 120 riders, sadly today, that number is only around 20.” Mr Closter ran for President of the club and was successful, holding the position for eight-years. “I was lucky, it was the good years, what we were all used to, which are gone. We had great times back in that era,” he said. Reminiscing the ‘good years’ included Easter camps at sheep properties around the district with everyone sleeping in the shearing quarters; riding to shows and events, as many families did not have floats, horses were also transported by Watson’s. Having been involved with a number of sporting organisations in Bacchus Marsh, Mr Closter concluded his speech by declaring his love for horses. “If you said to me today, there was a football match or a cricket match on, I would go to the horses. “Thank you very much ladies and gentlemen.” Lastly, Mr Closter had two tips for children wanting to ride horses. “They would have to want to do it, and be prepared to listen,” he told the Moorabool News.
More photos next week
Karen Pinder received a Mayoral Award on Australia Day. Photo - MSC
Mayoral Award
Meet Karen Pinder. She received the Mayoral Award for 2022. Karen has been recognised for her mission to "Mask the Marsh" during another year impacted by COVID-19. She has been selfless and relentless in her ongoing mission, providing over 4,700 masks to children, adults and vulnerable residents, free of charge. "The message we would like to pass over is - if everyone can try and do something at some stage throughout the day or the week that's selfless, for someone else in the community, it'll just help make the community so much better and stronger."