Old Collegians Rugby Union Club
Robert Clarke Burgess
Testimonies - 9th July 2013 - text
Testimonies - audio recordings
Testimonial evening photos page
A Celebration of his Life
Old Collegian's Rugby Club
Linden Park, South Australia
9th July 2013
That old black magic has us in his spell,
that old black magic that we knew so well.
Words - Julie Beaton
Family and Friends. My name is Julie Beaton - Sean's wife, and like you, a friend of Bob's.
I am very honoured to have been asked by the Burgess family to MC tonight's Memorial Service for Robert, Bob, Bobby, "Black Magic" Burgess.
I also acknowledge and am very grateful for the support of my colleague & friend Helen McCann.
I would like to start by reading you an extract of an email that Jill sent to Bob's son Jonathon in February this year
"Yes it is the day after Bob has received his treatment and he is meant to rest - but he has swum 50+ laps and walked the dog and gone out shopping and met his mates at the pub, so maybe he will rest tomorrow ! He is going to Kangaroo Island on the weekend with his mates fishing for a few days. The treatment only has a small chance of success and might prolong his life by a few or perhaps a couple of months. Meantime he is sticking to his usual routine which works best for him, daily catch ups with his friends, lunch, swimming, golf, rugby etc."
And so it was, the very full and well lived life of Bob Burgess.
At his request, Bob was buried this morning in a private family service at the Northfield Cemetery, Nailsworth. He is buried alongside his mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.
Following the service his family lunched at Café Bonjourno, Norwood Parade, Bob's favourite Italian cafe, which he frequented daily for what he says is the best coffee and puttanesca in town.
Tonight it was also Bob's wish that we come together and share the things he loved the most - his family, his friends, a chat with some mates, his love of music & song, food and wine.
And how appropriate that we are here at Old Collegians - a place so special in his heart, a place which holds so many happy memories of occasions shared with Bob as well as amongst yourselves - this hallowed turf of friendship.
Tonight you will hear many testimonies from various people of how Bob touched their lives. I hope their words will bring you some comfort, a smile and much happiness.
Family Biography
Just prior to Bob's death, Robyn Mellor sat with Bob to write some notes on his life, the start of his biography. It was never completed, but following is an extract, in his own words:
I was born in Adelaide in 1936. I was the third child of Jack and Pidge Burgess. There were four children in our family.
Mum was from Kapunda and Dad from Mannum. They met in Adelaide where Dad worked in radio.
He was a very well-known show host in the days when live radio was at its peak. He was probably the most popular and well known radio personality in the 40's and early 50's first in Adelaide and later in Sydney, and then nationally.
He was the host of the program 'Kangaroos on Parade' which anyone who was young at that time would remember. He was hailed in an Adelaide paper on 27/12/41 as 'Adelaide's most popular and outstanding air personality'. Thousands of people came to the Adelaide Airport to wave him goodbye when we went to live in Sydney. Dad was asked to go to Sydney in 1944 to host the Colgate Palmolive radio show which featured 'Mo' Rene, 'Willie' Fennell, Hal Lashwood, Jack Davy and other well- known personalities of the time.
There was also a show in the auditorium of Grace Brothers which was the Morning Show. So he did that 5 days a week and 5 nights a week he'd be on the Evening Show, so he was a very busy fellow and very popular. He developed a very strong following around Australia and became quite famous.
We were living all that time in Sydney on the North Shore. It was a big house and we had a full time gardener. I was 12 or thirteen at the time.
We used to entertain with a lot of parties. We had a tennis court and every weekend there would be people at the house. It was a good time to be brought up really.
Mum's family were named Clarke. Her great grandfather assisted in the construction of the overland telegraph line. He was a diarist working with Sir Charles Todd. His diaries tell of the hardships they faced and at times being attacked by Aborigines and battling weather conditions. His dairies are in the Sydney Library.
My brother Jack lives at Maslin Beach. My sister Ann lives in Sydney and is an agent for actors. She works with some very famous actors when they are in Australia including Nicole Kidman, Geoffrey Rush and Rachel Griffiths.
My Career:
I began my working career as a wool classer and worked at that for about seven years. The best seven years of my life!
It was good. We went to some big stations. Some were beautifully managed and there were some others that were an absolute disgrace. I remember when I went to Padthaway Station which is a lovely station down near Naracoorte. Padthaway House as the station home is now called has become a fine dining restaurant in later years.
A J Lawson was the owner. I went along that road recently. There used to be a stand of gums down there. Beautiful trees and now they've pulled them all out and replaced them with bloody rotten grapes! Anyway he used to keep his plane over there where the vines are now.
One of the largest stations on the East West line was Commonwealth Hill. To get there you had to go through Port Augusta and then due west until you went through this small town. I had to get a security clearance to go there because of the bomb testing at Woomera at the time. The homesteads were lovely big old homes. I started out in West Wyalong on two stations there, Billabong and Oakhurst. Out of Broken Hill you head north to Tibooburra which is close to Milparinka.
Mt Poole station was a very picturesque place. I got a call from the shearing contractor asking would I mind terribly bringing home an old Chevy that was parked out in the car park. So I went and had a try to start it but I couldn't get it to start. The shearing contractor came out and undid the parts attached to the carburettor. He sucked out the petrol which was full of sand and stones; sucked it out four or five times and then broom, broom, broom, away it went. No wonder it wouldn't go! So Charlie Flavell got his Chev back. I'd like to think he thanked me for that but he didn't!
We used to go down to Elliston Beach after work each day and drag a net.
We caught sword fish, whiting and garfish, dozens of them right off the beach. You get a stick and drag the net over it top and bottom and drag it through the water. Then we would cook the catch on the beach. Lovely memories!
Sporting Life:
I played 530 games, (so the records say, but maybe someone got a bit carried away!). I remember when we played the Lions. They are here in (Australia) now. That was a pretty big honour. And we did quite well. Went down by 20 something points but considered good(). My Rugby career was quite successful. I swam in the Golden Oldies until about six weeks ago and now I can hardly stand. I also played golf at Mt Lofty for many years. One of my greatest pleasures has been fishing, especially tuna fishing in Pt. Lincoln & Kangaroo Island. Some great times were had and some amazing fish caught over the years!
I also enjoyed surfing in my younger days. I was surfing once down at Parson's Beach , two boys and a girl got into trouble in the surf; I dragged the girl out. And went back to get the other fellow but the third one we lost. I remember the girl couldn't swim well and kept grabbing at me. I had to speak harshly to her as I was scared we were both going to drown! Then I had to tell her that the other two had drowned. One of them was her fiancé. Her parents came to see me the next day and gave me £10. That was a reasonable amount of money in those days so I took it as I needed the money! The incident was reported in the Advertiser.
And that's was as far as Bob got in his words, and although he touched on a small part of his life, there is much, much more to tell.
Tonight we have several speakers who will attempt to fill a few gaps, but I doubt we will ever know it all.
I will introduce them individually, commencing with -
Max Tillbrook
Max has been Bob's friend of 56 years will talk about the Bob's bachelor days, racing and his MG car:
I met Bob when he was around 20 years old when he and his brother Jack came to live in North Adelaide.
Bob well and truly settled into Adelaide, particularly the Saturday night party scene. He always had something wild to do on a Saturday night, a few boys always wanted to tag along with him, and that was never a problem.
At that time Bob was working as a wool classer on the SA border, Broken Hill and further east to the Darling River. He worked during the week wool classing and then on weekends headed back to Adelaide. There was always something to go to on Saturday night. Groups of friends always used to meet up at various places and somehow Bob was always there.
Bob owned various cars, on one occasion he had a Volkswagen but also he also owned a MGTD.
He once sent his MG off for some minor repair work - put the car in the hands of a fellow called John Taylor. However little did he know while Bob went back to the property to work, John had entered the MG in a car race at Port Wakefield without Bob knowing. When he found out he thought it was a hell of a joke, and so started a very long friendship with John Taylor.
Bob went to the original Albert Park Racing Circuit in 1955 - there was a party of about 10 of us. We stayed at Greyhound Park in St Kilda .
One night at the Greyhound Hotel we decided our room was too noisy, so Bob and I thought we would quietly move into another room. To do that we dismantled the bed, mattress, took the pillow, blankets and sheets. We thought we were being very quiet, but not quiet enough for the Manager of the Hotel.
Bob and I went to each others 21st birthdays. We would meet regularly for a meal - often at the Hyde Park Hotel. Bob and I shared a friendship spanning 57 years. They were good times, and good times are hard to forget.
Brenton Allen
Bob's golf partner will talk about how 2 generations and 3 members of his family have played golf with Bob at Mt Lofty, and the times they have shared.
I enjoyed playing golf with Rob. He joined Mt Lofty Golf Club in 1966, an honoured member for 47 years. During that time, many held the view that regardless of weather, conditions, scores or competition, it was always enjoyable, indeed fun to join Rob for a round of golf.
Warren Symons, the Club's professional, remembers Rob as a friend with an outstanding sense of humour and it's this that I would like to share with you. I would also like to think that I was speaking for all at the club because he was certainly a long time friend of many members, not just the early morning golfers. As you would appreciate, Rob was a totally involved Club member; all knew him, and all counted him as a friend.
We should take as accepted that he was a good and competitive B-grade golfer who could take your money with the best of them and, on the occasions when he lost the Mt Lofty Stakes side-bet, he would pay out his $1 in 5-cent coins. Horror if these 20 coins were returned to him the next week!
Most golfers are either morning or afternoon players. For the last 20 years or so, Rob became entrenched as the 7.24am tee-off with his other long term golfing partner, Murray Paech.
My son Thomas has been part of this playing group for the last 16 years. Over that long time, we had to accept that Rob would always pull into the carpark at 7.15 or 7.20, not wanting to "waste" any good putts on the practice green before tee-off. In fact, over recent years, he didn't waste his good drives on the first tee either, preferring to drive sideways into the bush or, more spectacularly, backwards!!! Only then would he start to play his top shots. It seemed to be his golfing ritual. All this was not helped by his extraordinary ability to lose his glasses, repeatedly break them, drive over them in the land cruiser or simply not bother to wear them. "Where did that drive go?" he would shout on every tee as his opponents invariably pointed down the middle of the fairway. It wasn't gamesmanship, just Rob.
Rob was always there on Wednesday and Saturday mornings. Nothing kept him away. Nothing, unless he was at his early morning swimming training, swimming between the jetties events, off snow skiing, fishing or on holidays with the family. Life to the full was Rob's creed and practice.
Rob impressed his mates with his collection of golf sticks. It could only be said that he went through a faze of looking for the elusive, perfect driver, the bigger the better. With each new purchase, another superseded club retired to the shed. At one stage this appeared to be a weekly upgrade, not annual!! The Club Pro loved him. His friends in the following groups also knew Rob's clubs quite intimately, chasing him around the course with the odd club left in a sand trap, bush or fairway and catching him before he needed to use the club again. "Here's Bob's club!" was a common greeting call during many a round. Nothing fazed Rob or put him off his game.
Thinking about it, that probably is not quite true. A missed short putt would always be followed by his unique stomping war dance around the hole. He would never throw his club but this ritualistic "bending" of the putter sure got the message across. In a similar artistic vein, when he would sink a long, glorious putt, he would break into a chorus of the Peggy Lee / Tony Bennett song "Is that all there is?" Another clear message, another clear sight of Rob on the golf course.
I should not let pass Rob's views of "Mickey Mouse" golf. For years we would never tell him when the club was playing Ambrose or 4-ball better ball competitions because he would simply hop back in his car and go home. His long and gradual change of attitude bore results in his winning of MLGC Christmas Ambrose in 2011, this time partnered with 3 Allens including my recently converted wife, Heather. Rob played a huge part in Heather's understanding of the joys of golf and the celebratory drinks after every success. Rob knew continuing success, playing into April this year and inspiring his friends with his determined presence and typical fun involvement.
Rob knew all the golfer / funeral jokes but loved life and always wanted us to celebrate his as we are doing. His stories, exploits and friendship always reminded his golfing mates of loving and living life to the full. These are lasting images of Rob.
David Harford
Snow skiing [Julie to read]:
Unfortunately David Harford, Miranda Hodge & the Harford family could not be here tonight, however David & Miranda have written some words.
Jill Burgess would like to acknowledge how grateful their family was to David Harford for his hospitality and generosity that allowed their family to be together and ski for 10 years at his lodge in Mt Hotham. Bob skied right up until last season. He reckoned he was finally in front because after 70 you ski for free.
The following are David's words
"The Burgess and Harford families have shared many great times over the years, covering all aspects of life. Not withstanding many holidays, especially those in the snowfields of Victoria.
There are many stories to tell over the decade or so that our young families shared with each other and on occasion, the Storer family.
At first Bob, Nick and I, being the senior members of the group, proudly led our pack of snow puppies down the mountain with aplomb...this didn't last long!
Soon Andrew, James, Charlie and Jamie were leaving us in a cloud of powder amidst taunts to try and keep up! We knew it was time to concede that we were no longer 'Kings of The Mountain' when Ollie, Rosie, Lucy and Winnie did the same.
Bob was always up with a smile and a pan full of eggs, wanting to start skiing at daybreak but having to wait until the lifts opened!
Late nights were never acknowledged; he thought that -15 degrees was a cure for any Hangover...maybe it worked for him but not for us! We shared many a beverage after a hard day on the slopes, there was nothing better than sharing our war stories over a pint and a good laugh."
Nick Storer writes:
'...Our first group beer, shortly after meeting Bob, he accused us both of, 'drinking like plastic flowers'!!! I wasn't used to accusations of that particular type!...(pause)...He was a man who showed great resilience and dedication to his family.'
Speaking of Family we had many highlights and new experiences for all!
- One night we naively left our darling young daughters to watch a movie together after dinner and headed out to the pub for a nightcap....This was rudely disturbed by a distraught phone call from James informing us that Lucy was very ill! It would seem that Lucy and Rosie had decided to experiment and make rocket fuel...Lucy doing all the drinking and Rosie having to bear witness and look after the fall out!
- Ollie also demonstrated a great capacity for caring ,on the ski slopes....so much so that it was very time consuming doing a run with him and waiting whilst he stopped to help everyone in distress.
- Often this was Andrew due to his highly inadequate attire! (nothing to do with his parents!) Andrew's perception of skiwear was more appropriate on a summer holiday!
- Jill was mother hen and nurturer to us all...If someone was unhappy, hurt, hung over, hungry, missing a key piece of ski equipment...Jill was there with a solution and a cuddle.
- James loves skiing with the boys and leading them astray both on the snow and in the pub! His most notable exploit on our family ski trips was jumping of the Snake Gully chair lift...thankfully no one followed suit that time!
Bob loved nothing better than skiing with his children and never allowed his age to slow him down.
He also loved a bargain! Not least in the snow....
Upon leaving on a Saturday morning we decided to try and have one last run, unfortunately our lift passes had run out! Never one to be deterred by detail Bob headed up to ticket counter to negotiate...this was when he first discovered that 'older people' received benefits on the mountain! This put Bob in a quandary...did he admit his age and get the free ticket or maintain the illusion?
It didn't take him long to decide and we were soon flying down the mountain together!
Bob taught us all to fly high...!
Harvey Green
Will now talk on behalf of the swimmers.
At 76 years of age Bob could still overtake most of us on the Sunday swim at the Burnside Pool.
Hello! I'm Harvey, I played rugby with Bob for many years but lately spent more time swimming with him. Most of you wouldn't know but Bob and I went to the same school in Sydney (but at different times).
So I am going to talk about Bob's swimming. Bob was lucky he didn't have to drive to Burnside Pool and therefore he was always on time for his training sessions. These started through the adult swimming squad called the Sharks and were run by Symen Kromkamp on Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoons. He did this for many years swimming over 2 kilometres each session. Later Bob enlisted the expertise of a former Australian coach Graeme Brown which saw him enter and medal in many Master's competitions.
In the last few years Bob joined a small training squad swimming a few mornings a week under the guidance of Symen who set the program and would always write it out on pad paper and stick it to the end of the pool. He would also remind us what the next set would be. Everyone thinks swimming is a simple sport - follow the black line, not for Bob. After just a few laps Bob would always ask 'where are we up to?'. We suspected it was a tactic for him to have a bigger rest break. Bob had a stranglehold on the last position in our line. Louise would ask him if he would like to go in front of him but he would reply in a gentlemanly way 'after you'. He didn't like to overtake anybody, mind you he probably couldn't have. Don't forget everyone in the group was considerably younger than Bob.
In his age group Bob was a very competitive swimmer. He never bragged about his Master's medals, a modest competitor. That's why when we asked him how he went in one of the Brighton Classic open water swims, the biggest open water swim in South Australia with lots of competitors in all age groups he was letting us know how good he felt in the water, swimming in a straight line from buoy to buoy and breathing well etc etc so we eventually asked 'OK Bob where did you come?' and as pleased as punch he said 'second'. With a few seconds pause then said 'yeah OK there were only two in my age group.'
Bob trained hard for another Australian Masters competition in Perth, the group had made arrangements for a warm-up before the event. Graeme the coach was getting concerned when Bob didn't arrive to the warm-up so a quick phone call found Bob just finishing off his breakfast in the hotel room. He said 'I'm on my way' without too much panic and in fact apparently no panic. Bob didn't take his swimming too fanatically.
Apparently at another interstate event Jules went through the details of his races the night before detailing the difference between his 50 metre sprint and the 800 metre 16 lap race, how to pace himself, what order they were in, the time for each race etc etc. So for the start of his first race the next day, standing behind the blocks all this race preparation went out the window and he turned to the nearest person be it an official or just a someone walking past to get coffee and asked 'what's this race?'.
When Burnside Pool closed for the season we travelled to other pools. Just after the multi-million dollar pool at Marion was opened, we ventured down to check it out. After a few laps, Bob said, 'Yeah this pool is up to my standard!'.
Another time when picking up Bob from the front of his house to go to Unley pool early one morning I said to him as I was reversing, 'you could easily hit that stobie pole across the road'. In a sheepish response Bob said, 'yes I've hit it three times. The first two are publicly known, the third was a private, personal event.'
As we all know Bob could be forgetful. He would often walk out of the pool without his bag, leave his goggles behind and then buy the most expensive pair at the pool, forget to buy new speedos, his favourite ones were many years old, he most probably thought they were OK because at the front everything was looking in good order but at the rear end the polyester was nearly totally destroyed and hanging loose, very loose. In swimming technical terms Bob had the best "poo catches" at Burnside, Unley, Magill and North Adelaide pools.
He was either forgetful or ever the optimist when only a few weeks ago and without a pass for North Adelaide he bought a season ticket!
I think he was definitely an OPTIMIST AND WILL BE SADLY MISSED POOLSIDE IN ADELAIDE! HERE'S TO BOB.
David Stark
Will now tell you some fishing stories together with some sheer tales of survival on Kangaroo Island.
I have been asked to chat about a few adventures this evening, with regards to Bob's love of the ocean and fishing. As we all know there were many sides to Bob, Bobby, and Rob (I only ever recall Jill calling him Rob)
Before my time as 2nd Mate I have been advised Captain Bob had a few minor incidents with his boating activities. Jonathan's recollections will confirm that later.
I first met Bob at this fine establishment and of course Captain Bob did everything for me,( in his opinion.) He claims he set me up in business, thanks to those leaky Fowler Ware products that he sold, they still leak today Bob
Bob taught me how to play Rugby, and advised me on every mistake I made ( never short of that dry wit).
Well the fishing stories, how many weeks do we have, every trip with Captain Bob was an adventure, a once in a life time experience, all ended up with lots of laughter and lots of beers, especially whilst cleaning our catch. (Bob was a gun fisherman, you only had to ask him). During filleting Bob would mostly stare at the biggest fish and comment how tough it was to pull into the boat, he would supervise the filleting, occasionally getting us a beer out of the esky, after all Bob was the Captain.
For ease and partial memory failure I would like to skip over the Coorong Trips and the sinking of the Tinny, complete with all the kids in the water, the tent with no poles, the creosote bonfire wood, just too many adventures and too little time.
So let's stick to the last 3 ADVENTURES in Kangaroo Island. Captain Bob liked to fish for 3 days straight and would wake up at sunrise and be pacing to get out onto the water. Not me, up at 10am, follow the tide, wander down when it was time and enjoy the sunshine.
The easiest way to slow Bob up was to tell him his fishing rigs were wrong, he would then change them, that ate up an hour or so, that gave me time for breakfast, he could always change them back later. He just loved making rigs and undoing tangles.
Trip 1- Bob, Sean Glorious sunshine, plenty of whiting and squid and crayfish, dead calm water, the usual Dolphins, Seals, and the Sea Eagle experience. Just perfect, so perfect that on one very hot day we all ended up in the sandy bay, water up to our necks scoffing down crayfish and drinking top shelf chardonnay, out of huge wine glasses, commenting ,and wondering what all the movie stars were doing, unaminious vote, nothing like we were doing.
Trip 2 - Bob, Sean, Ray THE PERFECT STORM
The day before they arrived I had caught 6 crayfish and the pots were set 5 kms off shore, Captain Bob was very keen, I pointed out to the North West as I could see Storm Clouds over Douglas Mawson's house, I have seen this before, Danger Danger, the flat ocean can turn into an 8 foot swell in minutes.
Captain Bob assured me that his crew would pull the pots up in minutes, we would load our bounty and be back on shore before Douglas Mawson knew what was happening.
Sounded great, we zoomed out on dead flat seas, the Captain and his trusty crew Sean and Ray started pulling the pots but quickly realized they were not in 20 foot of water , but in fact 140 foot, it was quickly apparent their hands were not conditioned for this work, nor were their office chair backs, all the yelling and screaming from Captain Bob did not help. Then in minutes Douglas Mawson sent in the Storm Clouds ,with rain drops just like smashing water balloons. He quickly added 50kms of wind, plus a white-out sea mist, just to top up the wow factor.
We decided to abandon the pots and leave them be, with water pouring out of every orifice and bailing the boat to empty the water, I asked Captain Bob and his crew which way is home to Pebbly Beach, deathly silence and the look of horror. Luckily, I unveil the secret weapon, the GPS, punch in Pebbly Beach and follow the arrow, the exhausted crew stand quiet, like garden water features, we battle our way into the mist and torrential rain ,hoping the GPS is correct.
Finally "land ahead ",the faces and the mood quickly change, instructions given, with the massive swell, landing on the ramp, will be difficult, we must all jump overboard and hold the boat whilst I back the boat trailer into the water, sorry men, you are going to get wet, empty your pockets, keep clear of the boat and the trailer.
Like Vikings landing on the coast, every one overboard, I run to the car and trailer and turn around, there is Captain Bob standing in the boat like a store dummy, could he have a listening disorder, did he have his best shoes on, who knows?
Anyhow all good, boat landed, all safe, all wet, and no crayfish, the rest of the trip was consumed with wine tasting.- do you think Captain Bob got a flogging, Talk about adventure.
Trip 3 Bob, Sean, Ray The Ultimate Trip
The Captain and crew arrive, Perfect day, Tuna are along the coast, Do not worry about unpacking, no time, they are close, this suits Bob to a tee.
For some reason I go soft on Captain Bob, we actually load him into the boat whilst on land and launch him like the Father Xmas float in the John Martins Xmas Pageant.Did not get a foot wet.
Minutes later we are into 20 plus kilo Tuna, naturally Captain Bob got the lower end of the scale!!!
Bob loved it, the squealing of the drag, the bent rod, the excitement, the ongoing sledging, the 'support from the entire crew", it was SPECIAL and he, and we, all knew it. We had bagged out, we pulled the pots, only 4 crayfish, and then caught shark and whiting, what a trip, what an adventure.
All finished with top seafood and matching wine and chatting into the early hours, with Bob saying "Hold up ,Hold up" whenever the banter got too much between the continuous laughter.
Someone recently commented, Bob thought he should not go fishing again,that last trip would be too hard to beat. That was Bob. I did ask Bob if he thought we would ever find a fishing spot again without his expertise and brilliant memory.
Bob, somehow, I think we will, just for you.
Thanks Captain Bob, for all the adventures and laughs.
A Good Mate - Ray Murphy
Ray Murphy will talk now speak about the 35 year friendship he and Sean Beaton shared with Bob, some interstate golf trips & rugby trips (which co-incidentally always seemed to co-incide with one of their wives birthdays).
Both Sean and I have been close mates of Bob for over 35 years. Like many here tonight the genesis of that friendship was through this fantastic club of ours. The camaraderie we shared through playing rugby was only the start of our long association. Our families grew up together. They are all here tonight and we all have many happy memories of the weekends at Bob and Jill's Carrickalinga beach house. Generous to a fault, nothing was too much trouble for Bob. Carrickalinga was always open house and if anyone should drop in there was always a beer or glass of wine and a snag on hand. Chaos was the order of the day with kids running everywhere. The more the merrier.
For about the last 20 years, the 3 amigos, as I shall call us, met every Thursday evening at the Marryatville Hotel. Others joined us from time to time - John Payne, Alex Copeland and John Davies to name a few. We didn't solve the world's problems but we tried. The 3 of us had many memorable rugby, golf, and fishing trips together and we would like to touch on a couple of those tonight as an insight to Bob the mate.
Rugby - We had many trips to most capital cities, predominantly for Australia v NZ Bledisloe cup matches. One particular trip to Melbourne stands out. Bob frequently recalled this for a laugh. After the Test at the MCG, we ended up at the Windsor Hotel until being ushered out at closing time. Too far and too inebriated to walk back to our hotel, we tried to hail a cab without success. Much later, with desperation setting in, Bob noticed a parked car with a driver behind the wheel, about 50 metres away. Let's see if he will take us home. We were prepared to pay whatever it took. After deciding we were 3 harmless old farts, a fee was agreed and we piled in the back of his car. We did have to wait a little as the driver was waiting for another passenger.
Eventually an attractive young lady emerged from an adjacent doorway and hopped in the front. "Hello Boys!". We exchanged pleasantries and took off. Things were looking up! A little further on the car stopped. The girl got out and just disappeared. Nothing was said. Very strange! It all fell into place when the driver told us he was driving for an escort agency and would pick the young lady up again in about half an hour. Beaudy! We got back to our hotel and the fee was worth it for the story we had to tell.
Finally we can't finish up without touching on a subject that has already seemed to be a pattern from tonight's stories - Bob's crystal clear memory.
A rugby/golfing trip to Melbourne saw us and David Harford playing at the very prestigious Kingston Heath golf course which is some 20 kilometres out of Melbourne - very establishment with elaborate facilities and a rich golf history. We changed for golf (our own personal lockers if you don't mind) and went about our business on the course. We won't bore you with the golf, but after it was over for some reason there was some urgency to get in the car and get back to Melbourne so we each went about packing up and doing whatever we had to do quickly.
When we arrived back in the city Bob realized he had left his clothes and shoes back in his locker at the golf club. Shit!! No matter - he had another change of clothes and son Johnathon (resides in Melbourne) could at some time go and pick up Bob's gear. No worries! A quick change and out for dinner was next. However, when it was Bob's turn to shout - no wallet. Shit! - better ring Johnathon however no phone as well - Shit! So I think we have a record here. Apart from that Bob said he had a great trip.
Bob was a champion bloke, master of the understatement, modest, and always found a positive out of any situation. His attitude particularly over these last few months was very stoic. He never complained about his lot, even as his time grew close. We are full of admiration for him and treasure what he has given to us. Farewell amigo.
Burgess Family
I have the pleasure of saying a few words about and on behalf of the Burgess Family
Bob is the father of six children, Matthew, Tracey, Jonathan, Andrew, Oliver and Rosie, and father-in-law to John and Marjon (May-on) grandfather of Riley, Piper and Monty.
He proudly spoke of all his children, highlighting their many achievements and talents at any opportunity he could, and we know how much he loved them all.
Jonathan has asked me to read out his words
"Dad was never a religious man, he held his faith in his mates, family, Old Collegians & Mt Lofty Golf Clubs and the beach. I remember as a young boy along with Matthew & Tracey, all neatly prepared for Sunday school, shirt buttoned up, hair nicely combed and money tied up in a handkerchief, just so we didn't lose it, ready for the collection bowl. Just as we are about to walk out the door, dad shows up, swimmers on and towel slung over the shoulder "Well I'm off to the beach". I will leave it up to you what we all chose.
The wonderful days at Willunga & later Carrickalinga and, of course, fishing. At Willunga it was a dingy and Carrickalinga a Haines Signature. Funny there was always a bit of drama involved in fishing with Dad. The time we headed out at North Haven for a couple of hours and wondered why the boat was slowly sitting lower in the water. Probably should've put the drainage bungs in before we headed out! Or the time he broke his front tooth after some excessive throttle work over some waves ,where his head came in contact with his surrounds. Or driving from the holiday house in Willunga to Sellicks Beach with the dingy on a trailer, and Tracey & I watching as the trailer parted company with the car and headed off into the scrub. A good tip here, chain the trailer to the car!
The Burgess's have a bit of history here, of course his brother Jack is a keen fisherman and has his own unique stories. I can just imagine if the Burgess clan decided to produce a handbook on "Marine Safety & Boat Maintenance", it would be lucky to fill a page!
It is a joy to see so many of dad's friends and family here tonight, it doesn't really surprise me, he was such a likeable bloke. He warmly embraced my marriage to Marjon (Mayon), the ceremony we had in Hazelwood Park and the following reception back at the house. Of course it would've been nothing without dad's rendition of Old Black Magic! Our little boy, Monty Clarke Burgess, continues the family and dad welcomed him openly as only he could do.
There are of course numerous memories for me, but what rests with me is a man who was fun & supportive through my many incarnations. Times when I decided to ride my mountain bike from Adelaide to Perth, or the numerous OS trips through Asia, New Zealand and beyond, not to mention my extensive work history. He was always there...he has left a big hole which will never be filled. He wasn't just my dad, he was my mate."
Bob's daughter Rosie says of Bob "he was the best Dad they could ever ask for. Their childhood memories of the beach house, on the boat, buying Charlie, Xmas swims and times in the snow... memories that were endless, so fond and close to their hearts".
Bob and Jill were together for 34 years, married for 28 years, all of which were shared with friendship and love. They were good companions and supporters of each other and shared an overwhelming love of their children and family.
Jill would like to thank you all for the wonderful support given to Bob, herself and the family - and the lovely array of soups.
Bob had a close relationship with Brother Jack and Sister Ann who are here tonight.
And there is Bob's much loved dog Charlie who remained at his bedside in those final days and demanded to be on Bob's bed when he died.
It is reassuring to think that whatever awaits us, Bob will be there. I can imagine him busily fine tuning heaven, catching up with some old friends, looking out for some of our children up there and looking over those that are here. And I have no doubt he will be enjoying a glass of Barossa red with the greats if he can. Wherever Bob is, it could only be a better and more interesting place with him there.
Family and Friends, It is Bob that has brought us here to Old Collegians' tonight, this is where he wanted us to be, so it is appropriate that our words conclude here. And may the many memories you hold of Bob and this club further strengthen the affection and friendship you already have for one another.
Kim Evans
Family and friends I have great pleasure in now handing over to the Old Collegians' Club President - Kim Evans to have the final words, following which some footage will be shown with a final toast to Bob.
Bob first started playing public schools rugby at Barker College in Sydney. He joined us in 1954 when he returned to Adelaide. Bob was in his 60th year at Old Collegians'.
Bob played grade rugby from the '50s right into the '80s; he played through every grade over the years and won five First Grade premierships with us. He retired to Golden Oldies in 1983, and played about 80 games for the Crippled Crows.
Bob holds the record for the most games of any player in the history of South Australian Rugby. The number is estimated at more than 700; Bob humbly suggested it was only 530, but we didn't believe him when he was alive and we don't propose to start now.
Bob was at various times Captain, Coach, Club Captain and President of Old Collegians Rugby Club. He was a State Representative for three years, including hooking against the British Lions in 1966, which he claimed as his proudest rugby moment.
He was made a Life Member of Old Collegians in 1971, and was one of the inaugural inductees to the South Australian Rugby Hall of Fame in 2007.
That is an astoundingly impressive list of achievements and contribution - legendary. However, any bare list is a poor excuse for a proper account, so I've also harvested some anecdotes from our collective memory which might get us closer to the heart of things.
We remember the club Bob joined. In '54 we had a single team and there were only six clubs in Adelaide. We remember a tin shed, and the unofficial clubhouse (the Feathers Hotel) where Bob's kids and the other club offspring would play on the carpeted steps in the lounge, chomping on Smiths crisps and washing them down with lemon squash. I suspect Bob and his mates shared a few pints of "lemon squash" there too.
We remember Bob of the Telescopic Leg. Despite being barely tall enough to see over the bar, he could still hook the ball back from between the feet of the opposition second row.
We remember Bob the Gentleman Rugger, who wasn't shy about throwing a punch in a ruck, but was cheerful and somehow always friendly about it.
We remember Bob of the Front Row. For those who don't know rugby, a man of the front row has a very specific role on the field, and it doesn't involve scoring tries. But once in the late '60s, in a game in which the 1st XV had a commanding lead, Bob made a break from play and dashed try-ward, unopposed, eyes gleaming, towards inevitable glory. Unfortunately he was cut down just short of the line... by one of his own team mates. It was agreed by everyone (except Bob) that an extra try wasn't worth having to hear Bob talk about it for ever.
We remember Bob the Golden Oldie. In test rugby they measure packs by combined weight; in Golden Oldies rugby its by combined aged. In 1991, Bob packed down in the front row with Cyril Campion and Adrian Wilson, with Doc Douglas and Danjo Patterson at lock. The aggregate age of that tight five alone was just over 300. By that time, Bob said he hooked from memory.
We remember, from latter years, Bob of the Sideline:
"Kick it to the shithouse"
"Dreadful business!"
"A pint of your best, if you'd be so kind"
"How long to go?"
"We'll take the kick, Sir!"
"Is it my shout again, already?"
"Fair dinkum"
"Never in doubt!"
Many of you played with or, God forbid!, against Bob. I've heard the stories, and I find them hard to reconcile with the cheeky and fatherly gentleman with twinkly eyes who would wander happily around this place every weekend, cheering the red and blue and carrying Charlie, that great manly hound; I will always remember Bob the Sweet Old Bloke, who called me love and would give me a cuddle while his mates rolled their eyes at him.
And of course, we remember Bob the Proud Rugby Father, who took a great interest in the rugby of Son Andrew. He loved watching Andrew play, perched up there on the balcony asking "Where is he? Where is he - is he on yet?". Whenever he scored a try, Bob would inform the world "That's my boy! That's my boy!" Bob was never a particularly noisy or conspicuous spectator, but somehow I always knew where he was, whether that was in the clubrooms with a beer, or out on the balcony with a beer, or on the sideline with a beer. And on reflection, I've realised that whenever Andrew made one of those trademark huge tackles in the middle of Tregenza, I'd turn to wherever Bob was, just to catch the look of satisfaction on his face.
After each match, Bob would relentlessly pester our Head Coach, Mike McCrea, seeking affirmation about Andrew's game "Did he play well? Did he play well?", yet when I would say to him "Didn't your boy do well today?!" he would just smile a little and say "Do you think so? Oh, yes, I suppose he did".
Such great heart-warming memories he has left us with, but even they do not quite do justice to what Bob meant to Old Collegians. Bob was long retired from playing when I first met him, he was a Life Member before I was born. I envy those of you who played with him, who knew him forever. Yet it wasn't very long after first walking into this place that I understood what Bob meant to it. You learn about a man by the way other people relate to him. There was ever a palpable respect and affection for Bob, from everyone here. He wore it on him like a big, warm aura. He was a pillar of Old Collegians, and to see him at home here was to understand that instinctively, long before anyone explained to you why.
At the same time that the club taught me about Bob, Bob taught me about the club. The process was one of osmosis rather than instruction. He radiated friendship and goodwill. You couldn't spend much time near Bob without absorbing some of his good humour, his passion, his loyalty and his pride. Put simply, Bob was a touchstone. He was our giant little man.
It is hard to conceive of Old Collegians without Bob Burgess, but the truth is there's no such thing. We'll always be Bob's club, and we haven't lost him -he's just been promoted to a higher grade where he's sharing a pint of the best with the Great Brewer, and watching Andrew's rugby from a much higher balcony. Never in doubt, Bobby, never in doubt.
Please enjoy the 5 minute film tribute Rosie has compiled, concluding with a toast she will propose to their father.
Toast to Bob
So farewell, and so long Robert, Bob, Bobby, "Black Magic" Burgess, a champion bloke, remarkable man and a life well lived - To Bob
Testimonies - audio recordings
5. David Harford & Nick Storer
From the "Old Collegians Rugby News", August or September 1981(Mortlock Library)
- referring to an article in the Sunday Mail of May 18th 1975.
"500 UP - WHAT A MAN
Way back in 1954 Bob Burgess joined the Old Collegians Rugby Club when it fielded a single team and the whole of the State boasted only 6 clubs.
His career has embraced 21 seasons and includes 3 years as the State hooker. No one has been able to work out accurately how many games Bob has played - but it is over the 500 mark.
Five times he was in an Old Collegian's premiership first grade side & was made a club life member in 1971, an honour bestowed an only six others. This remarkable man was born in Adelaide and educated at Barker College, Sydney, where he played public schools rugby until he arrived back in Adelaide in 1953.
Rugby's a tough game, probably tougher than Australian Rules yet only two South Australian league footballers have been able to achieve more than 500 A Grade games.
Not to be outdone his brother Jack captained the Tasmanian Rugby side."
Bob was 39 when this article was published and the day before he had been promoted to First Grade to play Burnside at Parkinson Oval in honour and recognition of his services to the club and the State. Yet this isn't the end of the story. In the six years since the article has been published Bob has continued to play for Old Collegians and he has now passed the 600 plus game mark having played in our Seconds, Thirds & Fourths grade sides this year. In addition to his amazing feats on the Rugby field he has been a staunch & hard working Club member and has been a Club President, Club Captain, General Committee Member (3-4 years), Selector & First Grade Capt./Coach (lost to West Torrens in the West Parklands in the semis in the 60's).
After hearing about his seeminqly never ending efforts I cornered the man and posed a few questions which I thought you, dear reader, might like to ask him yourself.
Ed: What was your biggest moment in Rugby?
Bob: Playing hooker against the 1966 British Lions.
Ed: What was your biggest disappointment in Rugby?
Bob: Sitting on my bum in a game against Southern Suburbs after an opponent had kicked three of my front teeth out.
Ed: Who do you regard as Old Collegians' greatest player?
Bob: Rod Hauser (Ed. He went on to play half back for Australia)
Ed: Who do you regard as Old Collegians' best player today?
Bob: Um, Sean Beaton has to be due to his dedication & consistent form.
Ed: Who has been Old Collegians' best coach in your opinion?
Bob: Now thats putting me on the line (a pause) I'd say for First Grade Coach John Davies as he is a great tactician and has very sound technical knowledge about the game. Then again. Max Mitchell was a great motivator .... he could get one hundred players to jump through a fiery hoop if the situation arose.
Ed: How do you compare this year's team in First Grade to the Premiership teams of the past?
Bob: I haven't seen a great deal of First Grade this year but the standard has improved. We used to win through heavy, stolid forward packs; we'd simply win the ball, have the half back kick ahead and the forwards would again get the ball. It's not what you'd call open Rugby but we did win a few Premierships that way. Today's team appears to be far more mobile and balanced.
Ed: What about Bob Burgess the Rugby Player in the future?
Bob: Well, Pete, I've got a few injuries.... guess if they'll clear up ... .. yep, I'll be back next year.
