THE PASSING OF THE LARRIKIN\

Marco Gliori

If winners are grinners then Bobby Miller came first every day of his life.

Bob was not an entertainer who assumed the pseudonym of the Larrikin. He was the Larrikin.

Bob was born in Sydney in 1948 and was up and running almost immediately.

He did have an education, but will admit that he was one of those underachieving boys who couldn't wait to leave school and get his hands dirty. From painting houses, to mastering all pieces of machinery on construction gangs, Bob was always an industrious worker leaving plenty of time to dive for Abalone, or go fossicking on the gem fields, with wife Sandy who he met when they were both Teenagers. His Poetry musings began in this atmosphere almost thirty years ago.

Who would have guessed The Larrikin would have been too shy to perform his winning poem at the presentation of the inaugural Blackened Billy Awards in Tamworth in 1991. When the late John Phillipson read Bob's poem everybody there realized they had heard something special and that the author was a very unique Australian.

Within twelve months, Bob was reciting his own work and went on to win many awards, including The National Country Music Muster Bush Poetry Awards.

After turning professional, the accolades continued with three Bush Laureate 'Album of the Year Awards', and a prestigious Tamworth Song Writing Award.

Singers such as Brian Letton, Mark Tempany and Noel Simonsen have all recorded Bob's works, and there is rarely a festival in Australia goes by where at least one of Bob's poems is not recited.

This frenetic little spark of humanity absorbed knowledge like a sponge and the true measure of the man was that he chose to share it unselfishly and without exception.

Bob's writing and performance workshops were always outstanding, but most up and coming performers gained the most inspiration from simply watching Bob perform.

Standing beside the stage getting ready to walk on and perform in his wake, was always an intimidating task for the next entertainer, because no-one whipped the Poetry crowds into a frenzy like the Larrikin in full flight.

On a personal note, from wood turning to homebrew, Bob was a very handy man to have around. Each year at The National Country Music Muster, Bob and his wife Sandy would turn up early to set up camp, erecting elaborate camp furniture and creating an atmosphere that welcomed not only fellow Poets and Performers but the hoards of Larrikin Club fans who followed him around the country.

And gathering around his campfire also came so many children, seated in classrooms, perched in the front rows of his concerts and of course cradled in Poppy's arms in the lounge room. Such a small fire, such great warmth.

If you ever stopped to yarn with the larrikin, you realized how proud of his family he was. Sandy and Bob's three children Linda, Paul and Tammy have a total of seven grandchildren, and Bob's Mungar meadows backyard was like Disneyland. He turned his hand to anything from small wooden toys to Flying Foxes and elaborate Tree Houses and swings. And as if these avenues to vent his endless ingenuity weren't enough of an outlet , this little Bob The Builder erected his own house and was a 'carpenter on call' to family and friends for whom he would always oblige.

From Backhoes to entire computer systems, there was nothing Bob was afraid to tackle. He enjoyed impressing and inspiring others with his tenacity, but he didn't want accolades, he simply wanted the next challenge.

In passing on, Bob has taken on the ultimate challenge. In recent years he knew his time here was tentative, yet the fact that his passing has stunned so many of us that knew him well, indicates just how little he dwelt on his own misfortunes.

One of his young prodigies Carmel Dunn (Current Female Australian Bush Poetry Champion) said at Bob's funeral. "God must have needed a laugh more than us."

They say most dogs will adopt the characteristics of their owners. I can still see Bob through the antics of his little fox-terrier mate Snoopy. If you ever get to watch Snoopy, you will see Bob, scampering around, always hunting up a bit of mischief and niggling at us to come outside and play with him.

As Bob's body passes over, his spirit lingers on to play with us for as long as we remember his gentle soul, and the years of pleasure he gave to us all.

We will raise more than the odd cold one in Bob's honour. He will be sung about, spoken fondly of and comically cursed, but Bobby Miller you beautiful man, you will never be forgotten, for as you loved life, you will be forever loved by us all.

Thanks for the memories mate.

Marco Gliori

His sincere way, that wonderful smiling face of his, will be greatly missed.
I worked with Bob recently at the Jail House Roc Ball in his hometown of Maryborough Qld Australia, where we had such a tremendous time together, both of us really loved catching up and spending time working with each other again.

He was cheeky as always,, ever smiling and joking. He wore his white tuxedo and for the larrikin he was, he was a real gentleman. I remember introducing Bob as "Bush Poet Extraordinaire" - he was certainly that an extra ordinary talent and friend.
I am sure that for those of us who knew Bob well, there will be tears to fill an ocean.Bob will be laid to rest on Monday, at the Maryborough Crematorium. (TBA)
Sympathy to his lovely wife, family and friends.

Rest in Peace Bob Miller "The Larrikin".
Regards
Keri McInerney

FAREWELL BOBBY MILLER

"The Larrikin"

It is with deep regret that the whole of Australia has learned of the death of Bobby Miller.

Bobby Miller passed away peacefully in his sleep at his Mungar home, near Maryborough Qld. on the morning of Wednesday 30th October.

The world has lost a great bloke, an unmatched entertainer and a wonderful husband, father and grandfather.

At a celebration of his life on Monday 4th November at Maryborough Q. Bobby was farewelled by his devoted wife Sandy, his children Linda, Paul, Tammy, his eight grandchildren, his fellow 'Naked Poets', many members of the Australian Bush Poets Association and a great crowd of friends and admirers.

Bobby was a poet, songwriter and founding member of the Naked Poets.

He had an enormous talent in both serious and comedic poetry, he had won a vast array of Bush Poetry and Country Music awards throughout his career. He also authored a number of publications and had written songs with both Mark Tempany and Brian Letton. Bobby's poems have been performed by hundreds of aspiring Bush Poets at Poets Breakfasts around Australia over the last fifteen years.

Not having been in the best of health for a number of years, Bobby's performances were amazingly energetic and he never failed to give his absolute best to his audiences.

The runaway sales success of the Naked Poets albums was a great tribute to how well he had done.

Our condolences go to all who loved him. He will be very sadly missed.

Many tributes to Bobby Miller have been submitted with none failing to acknowledge him as a tremendous friend who made everybody smile; how he made people feel special and feel the embrace and warmth of his friendship.

He was the cheeky inoffensive, ever smiling, natural 'Larrikin' of bush poetry, a bush poet extraordinaire, who answered to many names.

Of his many stage appearances those fortunate to witness the ongoing bush poetry battles between Queensland and New South Wales in the State of Origin Series held at the Longyard Hotel over a number of years, will never forget his contributions in verse and wit as he led the 'Maroons' into battle.

There was never a dull moment where Miller was concerned and fond memories of the 'Mungar Maggott' will linger on for many years.

Not to have known Bobby Miller is a tragedy in itself.


Frank Daniel, President
The Australian Bush Poets Association Inc.

G'day Your're Shoestring's Visitor

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