Meet our Volunteers: Bob Heffernan

If you heard just a few minutes about Bob’s work and business career, you could be forgiven if the term ‘Jack of All Trades’ springs to your mind.  After all, over a lifetime of honest toil, he held such a wide variety of trades. But, looking at it a bit closer, you’ll learn that upon leaving High School in the town of his birth, Moree (Northern NSW), Bob had completed formal training as a Motor Mechanic,  then, working at a local Panel Shop business, within a few short years, at age 21, he was promoted to managing the company…

At age 29, he embarked on a career as a Poker Machine Technician (Aristocrat Leasure etc), not long into this career he started his own business. Together with his staff, he represented four major brands, both selling and providing technical support. “I eventually sold that business” he said, “and I bought a Bobcat and a Woodchipper.” He soon found himself contracting to major companies such as Boral. He added a mobile Streetsweeper, Tippers and Watercarrier trucks to his fleet, where his company was engaged in major projects including airport and road construction.

Some 10 years ago, he and his wife Dawn decided to move to the Gold Coast. “I bought a cab license. Then, the government decided to increase the number of Taxi Plates from 312 to around 500, and the job became harder and harder, so I decided to sell out and retire. Fortunately, well before Uber turned the industry inside-out.” he said.

Bob and Dawn are parents to 4 children, grandparents of 10 and (so far) have 5 great-grandkids. Their children “work in a variety of professions, including law-enforcement, specialising in Terrorism” he declared with well-justified pride.

What about hobbies? “Well, in my younger days, I’d ride Trailbikes, I’d waterski, and play Golf. I was a member of the local Volunteer Fire Brigade. At a young age in Moree, I joined the local brass band, playing the Fluegelhorn, Cornet and Tenorhorn. [Fluegelhorn? Click here for a sample. Ed.] And now I work at the Wheelchair Shed. I much enjoy the work and the social interaction with other volunteers.” Even though at present he is somewhat incapacitated, due to recent Carpal Tunnel surgery on both of his hands. Bob enjoys listening to country music, for example Slim Dusty and Daniel O’Donnell. He supports both the Titans as well as Manly in Rugby League, a sport he played himself in his younger years as a Halfback and Hooker.

Jack of All Trades? I don’t think so! A man with a wide variety of skills, a family man extraordinaire. And when you meet him, wearing boots and a T-Shirt, the very essence of a true Aussie!