Story Added: November 2005
Robert James Reid Martin (1990-96) "Nobby" (01.11.78 - 13.01.05) By Thierry Devillers (1990-94)Robert Martin, beloved son of Robert and Marie and brother to Amanda was involved in a fatal machinery accident on the 13.01.05. The articulated loader he was driving overturned on him near the entrance of their Monto property, “Clonmel.” Robbie or Nobby as he was affectionately known to all his Nudgee friends was born on the 01.11.78 in Brisbane and spent the first year of his life on Mt. Wandoo in the Springsure/Emerald district. The family then moved to Roma in 1979 where they spent the next fifteen years, first on “Merino Downs” and then “Holyrood”. |
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Robbie started at Nudgee Jnr in 1990 and graduated from Nudgee College in 1996. While at Nudgee Robbie was an active member in the fishing, gun, golf, & cattle clubs. As an enthusiastic sportsman he was involved in swimming, cricket and football - playing breakaway for the 1996 First XV.
In 1997, Robbie played for Brothers in Brisbane, and in 1998 while attending Gatton University played centre for Gatton Bulls A-Grade and was selected for the Qld Country Rugby League Student Team to play against the Great Britain Student Team at Lang Park.
In 1999 the Martin family moved to Rockhampton where Robbie worked alongside his parents on “Gavial” and was invited to play A-Grade with the Rockhampton Brothers Rugby Club, first playing wing then breakaway. While at the club he played in two consecutive Premiership winning teams and was christened ‘The Fox’.
During this time he was also selected to play
for Rockhampton Brahmans Rugby Union Team. The Rockhampton Brothers Club
now plays annually for the Robbie ‘The Fox’ Martin Memorial .
In late 2004, the family sold ‘Gavial’ and moved to their
current Monto property “Clonmel” where Robbie was to begin
a new chapter of his life.
A Requiem Mass was held at the Nudgee Chapel after which all the Nudgee Old Boys gave the war cry, formed a guard of honour and escorted their good friend to the school gates. A memorial service was also held at the Rockhampton Cathedral with both services being attended by more than 1200 of Robbie’s friends and family.
Robbie will be dearly missed by all who knew him, and will be long remembered for his humorous antics, larrikin smile and ability to seize the moment for every opportunity to live life to the full.
Pictured below: A group of younger Old Boys at the Annual Dinner.
