February 18, 2014
The chapel at the Virgo Funeral Home at Taabinga Cemetery was filled to overflowing this morning for the funeral of former Kingaroy Shire mayor Bob Downes.
Bob, who died of cancer on February 12, was described in his eulogy as a “a remarkable man who has lived a rich and fulfilled life, with no regrets”.
Amongst the mourners was Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss (a former Shire Chairman at Kingaroy), many former mayors and councillors from throughout the South Burnett and Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington.
Today’s South Burnett Regional Council meeting was also briefly adjourned to allow all sitting councillors to attend.
Bob is survived by his wife Peg, their five daughters and sons-in-law, 14 grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.
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Former Kingaroy Shire Town Clerk – and then CEO – Ron Knopke read the eulogy. Here is an edited extract:
Robert John Downes was born on May 25, 1934, at St Aubyn’s Hospital in Kingaroy. He spent a very happy childhood at Werona, with his parents, Jack and Florence, and older brother, Jim, in an era when they had horses or a horse and sulky for transport. No refrigerator or power, kerosene lights and few luxuries, but plenty of open space and virgin scrub for exciting adventures.
Schooling took place at several places. Firstly by correspondence, then to Ironpot State School (which had one teacher), then two years boarding in Kingaroy, attending the State School, while Ironpot was closed.
Bob finished state school at Ironpot, then spent four years at Gatton College, doing an animal husbandry course.
He started work at the end of 1951, during the worst drought for 50 years. He worked for his father at Werona for 30 shillings ($3.00) per week and keep. He also did a great deal of casual work, mustering and droving for other property owners around the district.
In 1953, Bob became a Nasho, entering a National Service camp at Wacol for three months, and then camps each year at Greenbank for the next few years.
When Bob’s parents retired to Brisbane in 1959, he took over the managership of Werona, and subsequently purchased a half share of the property from his father.
After batching for two years, Bob married Peg (Margaret) Kennedy from Jandowae in 1961. They first met at a dance at Ironpot a few years earlier. Peg purchased the other half of Werona so they became a business partnership as well.
When they were first married, they still had no 240 volt power, but kerosene lights and refrigerator, a party line phone, which often went out after storms and a road to town that was not all-weather.
Bob and Peg were a formidable team. They perfectly complemented each other – whether it be drafting cattle, weathering a drought at Werona or entertaining dignitaries at an official function, these two worked as a team.
They shared a deep and enduring love and enjoyed 52-and-a-half happy years of marriage.
The couple had five daughters: Julie, Robyn, Wendy, Mary-Anne and Katrina.
As a father, Bob nurtured his girls, passing on his strong faith and instilling in them a strong sense of honesty, integrity and hard work. Bob was extremely proud of his girls, all whom rode and helped muster and run the property until they married.
Bob loved his sport. At school he competed in most sports, excelling in boxing and athletics. Later, he took up professional running with some success. Winning the 1958 Wooroolin Mile was amongst his achievements.
After his marriage, Bob and Peg both played tennis in the Kumbia Association with some success.
From the time he left school, Bob was involved in local organisations and was often railroaded in as secretary. He served as either secretary or chairman on the local school, hall, fire board, church and National Party branch committees.
Bob was also Vice-President of the Burrandowan Race Club and starter for many years, but was not afraid to get his hands dirty at working bees as well.
He was also President of the Kingaroy branch of the United Graziers Association for three years.
In the late 1960s, Bob was invited to stand for a vacancy in the Kingaroy Shire Council, but was unsuccessful. He stood for another vacancy in 1969 and was this time elected.
Bob served continually until he retired from Council in 1997.
Bob was elected Deputy Chairman of the Kingaroy Shire Council when Les Crawford was Chairman from 1973-76, and again when Warren Truss was Chairman from 1983-90.
In 1990 Bob was elected Chairman himself, then the title was changed to Mayor.
During this time, he served as Chairman of the South Burnett Local Government Association and was a Director of Fraser Coast-South Burnett Tourism Board.
He retired as Mayor in March 1997 to concentrate more on Werona which he felt had suffered neglect during his term as Mayor.
Bob was deeply honoured to be the recipient of the Paul Harris Fellowship from the Kingaroy-Taabinga Rotary Club. The Paul Harris Fellowship is the highest honour awarded by Rotary, to recognise outstanding service to the wider community.
Bob was certainly a worthy recipient. He was involved in a number of significant projects in his service to the Shire, including the Self Help Housing Group and the development of the Bob Downes Administration Centre.
Bob was passionate about encouraging others to “have a go” and to have the courage to develop their ideas.
After he retired from local government, Bob was appointed a Director of the Wide Bay-Burnett Electricity Corporation until its restructure in 1999.
He also became involved with the Burnett Catchment Care Association and was chairman of the South Burnett Sub Catchment and vice chairman of the BCCA until 2000. He was honoured with a Land Care Award in 2000.
Bob loved to learn and recite Australian bush poetry. Instead of worrying about the drought or cattle prices, he would ride around the paddocks of Werona on his horse, learning verses and reciting to himself.
He also entertained many at Poets’ Breakfasts and countless local gatherings.
In later years, the Kingaroy Probus club provided a regular meeting place for good friends and various enjoyable outings. The good friendships fostered here were a great joy to Bob.
While we farewell Bob here today, we celebrate his life and the legacy he leaves. All who knew him were impacted by his life and inspired by his example.
We are deeply comforted in the knowledge he is forever in God’s care and he will live on in our hearts and memories. We are all so enriched by knowing and loving him.
