Precious is indeed a strange nickname to apply to a young man. But in his younger years that is exactly what Bobby Wilson, former Australian Amature Boxing Champion, trainer, bouncer, successful publican, loyal mate, mentor of children and loving husband was given: and it stuck.
The word Precious can mean several things: of great value, beloved, special and several others: any of which, at various times in his life, would have suited Bobby Wilson. Sadly, on Wednesday on 2 September, 2020 family and close friends , gathered at a funeral parlour to bid a sad farewell to Bobby, who, after a long battle with illness, took the final count. This was followed by a (supervised) gathering of mates at one of his favourite destinations, the Noosa Surf Club. It goes without saying, that the doors of this club will always be open to wife Katrina and family.
After the eulogy, delivered by club manager Anton Mogg (a great personal mate), Bobbys wife Katrina, his children, staff from the Caboolture State School and several small children (who wanted to say a few words)spoke: we listened, learned and laughed about the ups and downs, experienced by Precious as he journey through life. A life commenced on 21 March 1958.
His family life was rugged. By age 13 he was living on the streets and hanging around the Braybrook Hotel, in Melbourne’s western suburbs, that in Moggies words, was to be “his university of hard knocks. Strange though it be, it was here that the young Bobby found not only sanctuary but also friendship and humour, something that had been missing in life. And of course, the big one, the nickname, Precious: a name that he took through his work life, travels and the world of boxing.” After a rather hectic school life, where he enjoyed science and sport, (boxing and a new thing called karate), he, at 14 started work: first making blankets then as a roof tiler and later in the local meat works.
It was in the meatworks that the heavy lifting was to give him the strong physique that helped form the basic for a successful boxing career: a career that was to see him win two Australian titles three golden Gloves and on six occasions represent his country (some as team captain) in international competition. But perhaps the most important to him, was this career in boxing. It was this, that was to take him as a mentor, into the world of our youth: into local schools and in particular, those street kids, whose life was in turmoil.
His lessons, not only on boxing and fitness, but also self- discipline, good manners, respect for others,(in particular women) and mateship, will no doubt stay with many throughout their life. It was also during this period that his wife and soul mate Katrina (herself an athlete of renown) made an outstanding contribution, not only to his teaching, but also his life in general.
In his private life, his years in the hotel industry, saw him start as a bouncer and work up to management level in various hotels: on the Gold Coast and finally the Noosa Reef. His personality in this line of work, (plus boxing) made him many lifelong friends: Jimmy Barber and the late Frankie Everett for example. These plus the men women and children in attendance at Wednesdays Wake said it all. Vaya con Dios, Old Friend, Vaya con Dios.
