If you are going to belong to something you may as well be in “boots and all”, Rochester’s Bob Knight says.
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The prolific community and sports club volunteer has been recognised for services to his community in this year’s Australia Day honours list.
He has served in leadership positions with Rochester’s football club, cricket club, golf club, tennis club, bowls club and is a former president of the Goulburn Valley Football League 200 club.
“I just can’t go there and say ‘yes’ and ‘no’, I’ve got to be a real part of those organisations,” he said.
Mr Knight said his drive and passion for Rochester came from his family.
“My fathers and brothers have all been involved. I’ve had fantastic family support,” he said.
The Order of Australia medal was a reflection of that support, Mr Knight said.
In the period after he found out he was to receive the medal Mr Knight had given a lot of thought to what it meant.
Initially, he had found it an overwhelming honour, but also a little embarrassing when there were so many others in Rochester he felt did more than him..
“I spoke to the kids last Sunday and I said to them that I would like us all to enjoy it, not just me,” he said.
Among other honours bestowed upon him during his lifetime of service to Rochester, Mr Knight has been named the Rochester shire’s 1990 citizen of the year, received an International President’s Award for outstanding services to Lions Clubs as well as a Melvin Jones Fellow Award.
He also carried the torch through Rochester ahead of the Sydney Olympic Games.
“I had the honour of going through the main part of town. For someone born and bred in Rochester that’s the pinnacle, isn’t it?”
Mr Knight said one of his greater pleasures was helping people through his involvement in the Rochester Lions Club.
“Just before Christmas we raised $7000 in one night for two little kids who can’t walk but can swim,” he said.
“They had to go to Echuca to swim, now they have a pool in their own backyard.
I just can’t go there and say ‘yes’ and ‘no’, I’ve got to be a real part of those organisations.
- Bob Knight on the importance of giving back
“I believe that whatever you do, there’s got to be something nice to come out of it and that outcome was one of the best.”
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Tom O'Callaghan
I grew up in Bendigo and I want to tell your stories.
I grew up in Bendigo and I want to tell your stories.
