BOB WATSON - 145 YEARS ON

Ms JENNY AITCHISON (Maitland—Minister for Regional Transport and Roads)— I would like to take this time to recognise the enormous community impact of the late Robert Fletcher 'Bob' Watson. November 2nd marked 145 years since Maitland legend and champion sprinter, Bob Watson won the 1878 Championship of Australia in the former Louth Park Racetracks. When the race was won, Bob was greeted by a crowd of over 6000 adoring Maitland fans, carried upon the shoulders of two men and escorted by a band. Leading a crowd of thousands through Devonshire Street and up to High Street, Maitland. The race itself was 200 yards of makeshift uneven grass track in which Bob finished with a time of 19.5 seconds, beating rival John 'Jack' Aplitt, and winning a prize of roughly $60,000 in today's money. The second of November was Bob's final – but most historic - race. However, he remained active in the Maitland sporting community until his death in 1937.Bob was survived by 7 children, with his great nephew and Greta local, Bailey Terence remaining in the Maitland area to this day, and Bob's granddaughter, Robin in Northern Sydney.