By Kath Gannaway
When you’ve been around for 95 years … you know stuff!
Healesville Historical Society Life Member Bob Pockett is the person who may well have the answer to queries about the life and times of Healesville and Toolangi.
Bob is still active in the society and is the author of several books including the history of the Healesville and Toolangi fire brigades and also the Toolangi Primary School.
Born at Nurse Townsend’s hospital in Ryrie Street, Healesville on 8 May, 1922, Bob worked at various jobs around Healesville and Toolangi.
Except for a few years’ break during WWII, Bob’s life has been centred around the Yarra Valley and its environs.
He worked for more than 28 years at the Toolangi Potato Research Farm, and was involved with Toolangi’s certified strawberry runner scheme, was a keen cricketer and has been a member of Toolangi CFA for more than six decades.
A favourable comparison to make when it comes to Bob’s longevity is a charming connection with the much-admired Pin Oaks at Healesville Racecourse.
Bob recalls helping propagate the trees he said were grown from seedlings on his grandfather’s farm.
While some of those Pin Oaks are showing their age a bit, most are still standing tall and bringing enormous pleasure to those lucky enough to come their way … just like Bob.
Bob’s 35-year association with the Historical Society keeps him going, provides something to look forward to and keeps his mind active.
It’s a not-negotiable contract as far as his fellow society members are concerned.
With one of Bob’s high-profile roles being to identify people and places when old photographs are brought in, or providing information when someone wants to know about ‘stuff’, they certainly won’t hear any talk of retirement.
Many members and supporters of the society piled into the society’s rooms in Healesville on 12 May to help him celebrate with a beautiful cake made by member Angela Fleay, and of course a chorus of ‘Happy Birthday’.
Any wonder Bob’s not going anywhere!
