Winch farmer became Fort boss

WHEN he retired from the army reserve less than a month ago, Robert Charles (pictured) wrapped up an extraordinary career of service to his country.

As a young man, Mr Charles signed up with what was then known as the Citizens Military Forces (CMF) in Colac way back in November 1969.

While others completed their regulatory period, the young farmer kept on marching and was best known in recent times for his work as manager at the Fort Queenscliff Museum.

“My time (with the army reserve) is filled with many great memories. I had some good postings and you meet plenty of hard-working people along the way,” Mr Charles said.

“You join partly for adventure, partly for doing your bit for Australia. I was manager of the museum at Fort Queenscliff for seven years, it was my last army reserve posting. The Fort remains a unique part of Australia’s military history — so many other places haven’t been maintained or things have been pilfered whereas the Fort shows what the Colony of Victoria’s defences were like in the 1800s.”

Mr Charles’ association with the Country Fire Brigade stretches back even further. He joined the Duverney Fire Brigade as a teenager and served as either captain or first lieutenant between 1984 and 1991. He, along with many other volunteers, battled the flames when fires tore through the Cressy district in 1977.

“It was a horrendous day. There was a lot of fodder left over and there was loss of life, loss of property,” Mr Charles said.

The Winchelsea farmer has also been a leading member of the Liberal Party for many years and serves as the Corangamite Federal Electorate Conference chairman.

With his partner Pat Crosbie, Mr Charles has volunteered for Lifeline Geelong.

He was also a board member of the Berrybank Uniting Church, served on the board of Barwon Park Mansion and is a long-time member of the Colac RSL.