Cockatoo RSL sub-branch president Bob Simonds is proud to be named the town’s Senior Citizen of the Year.BOB Simonds, 83, is proud to be named the winner of Cockatoo’s Senior Citizen of the Year as part of Australia Day celebrations.
The Cockatoo RSL president said it was a hard award to win and was honoured to be recognised by his town.
“I cherish all the time I have had in Cockatoo but I haven’t stopped yet,” he said.
“There is still a lot of work to do and I just hope I live long enough to do it.”
Mr Simonds moved to Cockatoo in 1958 and quickly established himself in the community as someone who is always willing to give people a helping hand.
He is well know around the town for his volunteer work at the then Bush Nursing Hospital which is now known as the Cardinia Community Health Centre.
Mr Simonds not only helped with maintenance work around the hospital but also transported linen and blood between Cockatoo and Pakenham Health Centres.
He is well known in the town as the president of the RSL, a position he was elected to 22 years ago after the Ash Wednesday fires.
When the old RSL hall was destroyed in the bushfires Mr Simonds pitched in to help rebuild it.
He has helped hold the RSL club together when it was faced with a declining membership.
Not only does he run the RSL but Mr Simonds is also a big believer in helping out anyone in need.
Following the death of former Digger and close friend Jack Gorman in 2004, Mr Simonds visited Jack’s widow and would take her shopping or just sit and have a cup of tea and a chat.
He is also regularly seen at the Cockatoo Rodeo and CFA plant Market twice a year selling poppies and Anzac Day badges.
Mr Simonds vows to continue helping people and his town as long as he is able.
