Riv on the Record: Bob Tyler (Torquay RSL veteran)

THIS week I had the great pleasure of being joined by local war veteran and Torquay RSL royalty Bob Tyler. Spin it!

What led you to join the service?

I can remember telling my parents around seven that I would join the services.

My earliest intro to the services was my Dad who was a World War II veteran and long serving Citizen Military Force member. It was in the later 1950s, so there were many parades and events showing off the services.

I was a member of the Air Cadets, so the Air Force was my choice. It didn’t happen.

I joined the Army in 1964 and commenced my relationship which ended 38 years later, serving in both Regular and Reserve Army. This included service in Vietnam, Indonesia and New Zealand.

 

In the military, “mateship” is everything. Is there a specific person or a moment of camaraderie from your service that has stayed with you all these years?

Mateship is important – some last for a lifetime, others get hidden over time. The person that is always with me is Wally Galvin, through driver training, courses and service in Vietnam. He was killed by friendly fire on Christmas Day 1970.

What was it about Torquay that made you want to settle down here?

Christine and I have been married for 33 years and we have been here in Torquay for 14 of those magnificent years. We share our home with Trixie a black and tan Cocker.

I got a great feel for Torquay just driving in on our many visits to Christine sister’s homes.

I didn’t want to return home to Melbourne so we packed up and moved to our current home.

 

What motivated you to get involved with the Torquay RSL, and why is that organization so vital for the local community?

Our involvement with Torquay RSL happened when no one volunteered for the positions of president or vice president, so we put our hands up to fill the positions temporarily. That was eleven years ago. We have now stepped back.The RSL is important to all the Veterans both young and old to assist them in life and going forward. There is over one thousand Veterans in the Torquay/Bellarine area. It is important for them and their families.

I hear you stay pretty active—what’s the one hobby or interest that keeps you feeling young?

I keep myself busy now with Lions, veggie gardens, pilates, Kieser and of course walking the dog.

 

RAPID RIV:

I’m coming over for dinner, what are you cooking? If you drop in for dinner, the table would be set for roast lamb.

Favourite movie? Love Actually, but earlier it would have been action stuff such as Zulu and Die Hard.

Favourite song? I don’t have a favourite song, but my pick of singers would be Meat Loaf.

Go-to-spot for a coffee? Coffee spot would be the Torquay RACV Club. It also has great dining.