A passionate love of family and life until the end
A MOUNT Duneed fisherman has died doing what he loved.
Hugh Richard Bloink, 85, who fell off rocks at Point Roadknight on May 19, is being remembered for his love of family, enduring tennis ability, passion for fishing and thirst for knowledge.
Short in stature but dogged with a racquet, Mr Bloink crafted his way to a qualifier’s position at the Australian Open in the late 1950s, where he played on centre court at Kooyong.
He was a repeat club champion at the Geelong Lawn Tennis Club and a revered figure on the regional circuit, where he played doubles with Aussie great Ashley Cooper.
Mr Bloink’s skill stayed with him into his 70s when he represented Australia at a veterans’ tournament in Turkey.
“He would play blokes in their early 20s when he was in his 40s and still be competitive,” son Peter said.
Mr Bloink’s passion for learning saw him named dux of his final year at St Joseph’s College and graduate to become a certified accountant. His learning extended onto hobby farms he owned at Maude, Gnarwarre and Mount Duneed. Knowledge gained was handed to son Marty during 15 years of summer sessions that often began when others were sleeping.
“He became my closest mate at that time. We worked the hay together,” Marty said.
Daughter Catherine said her dad could build a room, fix electronics, pull apart machinery, bale hay, do a tax return and build fences.
“He could do it all. If he didn't know how to do something he would learn,” she said.
Daughter Suzanne said her father “always had a project on the go”.
Marty said his dad, from boyhood, gathered a catalogue of secret fishing spots and encyclopaedic knowledge of how to keep a fish on a line, catch and fillet it.
In the mid 1960s, Mr Bloink and his wife, Helen, moved their young family to Canada for a change of lifestyle.
Mr Bloink emphasised a life embracing the outdoors. Annual camping trips for the family were a foregone conclusion.
Fishing with marshmallows in British Columbia and camping in grounds seemingly carved out of forests are treasured memories for Mr Bloink’s children during the family’s six years living abroad.
A grandfather to 11, Mr Bloink will be farewelled at a funeral on June 2.