Friends and family recall tireless community advocate
By Sonia Isaacs
ROBERT (Bob) James Banner, remembered as a true gentleman, devoted family man, witty and highly intelligent individual and generous friend, passed away peacefully on January 22, at the age of 85.
A farmer, Hinterland business owner, life member of the Beerwah Lions Club, and a tireless community advocate, Bob was widely respected for his commitment to the local community.
Born in Somerset, UK, in 1938, Bob, along with his family, immigrated to Australia after World War II. At the age of 12, the Banner family settled in Noosa, undertaking the new challenges of farming with resilience and ingenuity. Bob, along with his brother John, worked under the tutelage of their father Cliff and their Uncle Ron, demonstrating remarkable resourcefulness in overcoming numerous farming obstacles with often limited resources.
Around the early 1970s, Bob met Joy, his future wife, at a First Aid Course in Tewantin. The couple went on to marry in 1971, and Bob commenced work at a local building supply company.
Bob then became the farm manager at the COD (Committee of Direction of Fruit Merchants) pineapple research farm at Beerwah, and the 1973 move to the area was followed by the birth of sons Paul and Martin.
Bob’s years at COD were marked by numerous challenges, successes, and invaluable lessons. He dedicated a substantial amount to the industry, and the family enjoyed many years on the research farm until its eventual sale in 1991, prompting Bob to explore new career options.
After a brief stint in Real Estate, Bob identified an opportunity in Pest Control, leading him to establish Hinterland Pest Control, a venture he successfully ran until his retirement in the early 2000s.
Around 2003, Bob and Joy relocated from Beerwah to Peachester, ushering in a new phase. Bob, always open to new pursuits, ventured into writing, joining the Beerwah Writers Group and completing his autobiography-which provided a wonderful legacy of personal insight for his family and friends.
Bob’s unwavering commitment extended to his remarkable 54-year journey with Lions Clubs International. He originally joined the Tewantin – Noosa Club in 1970 before becoming a member of the Beerwah branch in 1973.
Current Secretary, Justin Neubecker, highlighted Bob’s leadership, enthusiasm, and skills, which were quickly recognised within the Beerwah Club. Within the first two years of membership, Bob assumed the roles of Secretary and then President.
Bob held various leadership positions, including Chairman of various Lions initiatives including Christmas Cake Chairman, Lions Mint, Membership and Program Chairman.
He served on the Board of Directors almost every year. Justin expressed the honour of knowing Bob for many years, noting the challenge of finding a good story to tell as Bob was such an all-round gentleman and genuinely good guy. In recognition of his outstanding service to the community, Bob was granted Lions Life Membership in 2005 and also received a Melvin Jones Fellow Award in 2017.
“Bob was an outstanding Lion who served the community with distinction. Of course, Joy was an integral part of many fundraising and social events as well. As we say in Lions, Bob has now gone to higher service, and he will be dearly missed by many. He was a very valued and esteemed member of our community,” Justin said.
Former President of the Beerwah Charity Sports Day committee, Bruce Page, fondly remembered Bob as a good friend and a genuine bloke who gave 100% to everything he was involved with. Reflecting on Bob’s contributions, Bruce emphasized that Bob never sought the limelight but contributed wherever he saw the community could benefit the most.
“He was always interested and cared deeply for the local community and was always enthusiastic about supporting it. He was the type of person who would always put his hand up to get involved. He made a significant contribution and was a genuine fair dinkum bloke,” Bruce said.
A memorial service on Friday, February 2, saw the Chapel at Gregson Weight Caloundra packed with family and friends who gathered to celebrate the life of this undisputed pillar of the Hinterland community.
