A Life Member of organisations and Corowa’s 2006 Citizen of the Year, Mr Dickins passed away on Sunday, November 24, aged 80 years.
A large group of mourners attended the funeral service on Tuesday, December 3 at Club Corowa.
The service was conducted by Anthony Jones, Branch Manager, Tobin Brothers Funerals, Corowa. Son Michael delivered the eulogy. Corowa’s Gary Poidevin and former Rutherglen resident Hans Duursma delivered tributes.
Robert grew up out of Corowa on the family farm ‘Charlton’ and after school there was lots of farm work to be done.
He began work in the family business, Dickins Engineers, as a fitter and turned where he stayed until he retired.
In 1957 he joined the Border Band in Corowa, beginning on the cornet, then trombone and E flat Bass.
In 1968, wife to be Janet was on holidays from Sunshine in Victoria, staying in Corowa with cousins who took her to a Mulwala club for dinner – and in walked Robert! He was now a member of the Rhythm Boys playing trombone.
After many train trips from Melbourne for a weekend on the farm, their romance blossomed and they married on April 1, 1972, Easter Saturday.
Throughout his life Robert was involved in many different organisations, a welding teacher at Corowa TAFE, a great speaker at functions with lots of stories to tell, Corowa Apex Club President, Life Member of the Wahgunyah Football Club with a best club person award to the Dickins family.
Many people will remember the Murray Brass Treasure Shop in Main Street Rutherglen. Robert loved meeting people and chatting, he was often seen sitting out the front with his coffee, talking and babysitting the dogs while their owners shopped.
Robert had his own radio show on Indigo FM Rutherglen. It was called “Robert’s Turn” and ever Thursday he would choose a great selection of tunes.
Robert read for the Vision Impaired, was involved in the Wahgunyah Progress Association and a Life Member of the John Foord Wahgunyah Cemetery.
In 2014 Robert became an honorary member of Corowa Rotary Club, then as a Friend of Rotary on June 16, 2016 was recognized with a Paul Harris Fellowship for his dedication and time over the years.
A family loving man, Robert was also involved with the Federation Festival Committee, Rotary Federation Markets and the Federation Parade.
In 2017 Robert and Janet went to Geelong to see the Australian Mechanical Organs playing, then becoming members, enjoying rallies every year.
Robert and Janet have organized three rallies in Corowa-Rutherglen over the years and have a 20 note Raffin Reed hand cranked organ of their own.
Of the funeral service, Mr Poidevin said it was “a great send off for a quiet hero”.
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