COLLIE RIVER VALLEY BULLETIN, APRIL 13, 2023 13
The ten pound ‘pom’ who ‘dug’ Lake Kepwari
Obituary Bob White 1936 - 2023
ROBERT “Bob” White was a ten-pound “pom” who told his family that as an underground miner at Western No 5, he reckoned he dug the whole of Lake Kepwari himself. With a trademark big smile, Bob was passionate about Margaret, his wife of almost 65 years, his children, Derek, Greg and Denny, Collingwood Football Club, Mines Rovers, his family, and his aviary, where every single bird was special. At his funeral in Bunbury last week, his son Derek said Bob held Collie in his heart, and Collie held Bob in its heart. “He was always there to help someone,” Derek said.
Move to fix Cardiff building encroachment
THE construction of the Cardiff Bushfire Brigade building has resulted in the need for planning changes to two reserves. An eight metre encroachment was identified during the design process, but the building proceeded, as detailed plans had already been prepared. One of the reserves is managed by the Shire of Collie, but the other is not, being designated for the purpose of public utility. An unconstructed road is affected by the encroachment. The Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage (DPLH) has offered to help resolve the issue with changes to the designated purpose of one of the reserves, and the closure of the unconstructed road. Councillors voted to recommend the road be included in the adjoining reserve, and the reserve be designated to be used for fire and emergency services. Council also agreed to advertise the proposed changes, and to indemnify the Minister for Lands against all claims for compensation and costs that may reasonably be incurred as a result of the road dedication purpose. The shire will be required to prepare a plan of survey for the road dedication, and a sketch plan for the road closure which will be funded through existing allocations.
Born in England in 1936, Bob remembered having to take shelter under the stairs during the air raids of the second world war. His family made the move to WA in 1947, and one of his first memories was seeing a banana for the first time. Not having experienced the fruit before, he took a large bite before someone told him you needed to peel it first. Bob’s first day at school in Collie was traumatic as he arrived in socks, sandals and baggy shorts. Next day, he went dressed as an Aussie. Leaving school at the age of 14, he started work at the mines at the age of 16. At the age of 19 he had met a lass called Margaret, with the only drawback to his courtship being the fact that she lived in Bunbury. He overcame this by regularly riding his bike to visit his “Frizz”, who he married in 1958. Western Collieries became his workplace for the next 42 years, 27 of them underground. There he forged life-long friendships with Bruce Duff and his wife, Betty, and John Davidson and his wife, Bev. The fact that John was staunchly a Collie Saints man and Bob was Mines Rovers to the core did not affect their friendship. Bob served 30 years with Mines as president and 20 years as secretary,
with life membership conferred upon him. He then started the little league so his boys had somewhere to play. Known for his big smile, Bob was a wonderful role model for the young players.
His children remember a wonderful childhood with picnics at Wellington Dam, swimming at Sandy and holidays at Amblin. Bob is survived by his wife, Margaret, his three children, 15 grandchildren and 32 great-grandchildren, with two more on the way.
