On 26 April 1933, Robert (Bob) Hillcoat came into the world and this year, he’s reached a massive millstone by turning 90.
Born and bred in Gympie, Bob grew up in the quaint area of Widgee with his parents Claude and Adelle, and siblings George, Shirley and Graham.
An avid outdoorsman and sports fanatic, Bob excelled as part of the Brothers Rugby League Club and to this day still sees the friends he made along the way many years ago.
He also enjoyed a game of cricket.
But by 1960, it was time to settle down and Bob married his beautiful wife Maureen.
Soon their family grew, with Rosemary, Carolyn and twins Greg and Madonna completing the Hillcoat clan.
Bob was the first driving examiner in Gympie and after a long and successful career, he retired in 2000.
Lots of gardening and travelling happened after that, along with the birth of grandkids Mitchell, Nicholas, Morgan and Tyson, and now great-grandkids Kayden and Travis – with one more still on the way.
According to his daughter Madonna, her dad is an absolute larrikan and quite the story-teller.
While he now resides in Cooinda Nursing Home, he still loves going home to enjoy his wife’s home-cooked meals.
Bob’s birthday will be celebrated by family and friends from as far as Newscastle and Rockhampton, on Saturday 29 April.
Madonna said her dad is one in a million and the best dad in the world.
“Happy birthday dad,” she said.
“We love you.”
