Currents
Vale Rob Bowring OAM 9 April 1947–27 February 2021
Rob Bowring on board PS Marion. Image Australian Maritime Museums Council
and then ensuring that this historic vessel remained in survey and operating for the benefit of visitors to Mannum and, ultimately, for the nation.
THE AUSTRALIAN MARITIME MUSEUMS COUNCIL (AMMC) and the museum are saddened to farewell long-serving AMMC Board member and occasional treasurer, Rob Bowring OAM, who died on Saturday 27 February 2021 after a long battle with cancer. Rob was much admired and greatly respected, not least for the energy, humour and good company he brought to the AMMC Board, and as an attendee and significant contributor at AMMC meetings, conferences, workshops and associated activities over a period of more than 10 years. Despite his illness, he continued to make a significant contribution of his time and energy to preserving maritime and river heritage as the Chair of the Mannum Dock Museum of River History and a member of both the AMMC Board and the Council of the Australian Register of Historic Vessels (ARHV). 76
Signals 135 Winter 2021
Twenty-two boats gathered at Goolwa, South Australia, for a sail-past on Sunday 28 February to pay tribute to Rob, indicating the esteem in which he was held by his fellow river men and women. At the conclusion of Rob’s funeral, on Friday 5 March at Mannum, there was another sail-past held in his honour. As Chairman of the Mannum Dock Museum’s Board and a hands-on volunteer, he was the leader and an integral part of the workforce which transformed that museum. It now has more than 25,000 visitors per year and is nationally recognised as the museum that best tells the story of the maritime history of the Murray and Darling rivers and of the paddle steamers that traded and travelled the lengths of both river systems. Rob was also the driving force in restoring the paddle steamer Marion to a fully operational condition,
When speaking with Rob it was clear that his passion and enthusiasm for the river, its people and boats came from a deep understanding of the river as the fundamental heart and soul of the communities along it, giving the river people a unique identity. The AMMC Board and the ARHV Council are very proud and grateful to have had Rob’s involvement and support for so many years. We celebrate the great deal of pride that Rob took in the community for which he worked so hard and tirelessly. His work and inspiration will endure long into the future. As Deb Alexander, Executive Officer of the Mannum Dock Museum, said: His endless and tireless devotion and passion to maritime history did not waver until his last days. Our nation has lost a great river man who worked for the past 30 years to preserve and promote inland water heritage vessels across Australia. Our sincere condolences and thoughts are for Rob’s family and all those who knew him.
