THEY began arriving more than an hour and a half before the service was due to begin, such was the esteem this organisation held for Ocean Grove Captain Bob Smith.
Coaches upon coaches of blue uniforms of the Country Fire Association assembled in the forecourt of St Patrick’s Cathedral in Ballarat. They were joined by Rotarians and other friends who travelled up from Ocean Grove and Geelong.
They had come to farewell variously titled Capt Bob, Smithy, Bobbie, Big Fella, Tiny - or just Bob - the big-hearted local firefighter who lived by his own motto ‘I may not be the best - but I’ll do my best’.
Bob would have been used to this crisp July afternoon in mid Victoria. He began 45 years of CFA service at Smythesdale aged just 16.
Some 15 years later he entered the professional service and devoted his life to his job and those he worked with.
St Patrick’s Cathedral holds about 1500 people. The building was full to capacity and an estimated 200 were unable to get in.
The congregation at the Catholic service heard tributes from the state’s highest ranking officers, including Chief Officer Steve Warrington, Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria’s Gary Little and Barwon South West Region’s Bob Barry. Ocean Grove 1st lieutenant John Wynn spoke on behalf of the brigade. John and other officers offered their condolences to Bob’s brother Bruce and his family and thanked them for allowing the CFA to be a part of the funeral service.
Members of Ocean Grove CFA placed symbols on Bob’s coffin.
A family eulogy was read out by Bob’s nephew Tim Smith.
Bob was recognised earlier this year with the Australian Fire Service Medal (AFSM) as part of the Australia Day honours.
The AFSM is the highest award firefighters can achieve and is very rarely awarded.
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