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Robert Hunter 'Bob' Tait AM was born on 2nd July 1901 in Queensland, just six months after the six British Colonies federated as the Commonwealth of Australia. He was the younger son of Scottish emigrants, John Tait and Margaret Hunter, [1] and named after his maternal grandfather. His brother, however, passed away when Bob was just a toddler. [2]
Bob Tait worked throughout his career in the Queensland Public Service's Commissioners Department. During the Second World War years he became a Public Service Inspector, based in Townsville. In 1963 he was appointed to the Queensland Industrial Commission. He was appointed a Justice of the Peace (JP). [3]
Following his retirement in 1971, Bob was appointed to the board of the Queensland Ambulance Transport Brigade (QATB), serving as its treasurer for ten years. [4]
When Bob was twelve years of age, a group, or club, for boys was started nearby for twelve to seventeen year-olds. Although new to Bob and the forty-or-so lads who investigated over the first few weeks, this 1st Brisbane Company was part of the fast-growing, international Christian ministry The Boys' Brigade and was commencing in Brisbane under the leadership of George Orr, a newly-arrived Scottish plumber. When he first walked through the doors of the hall on Enoggera Terrace, little did Bob know where The Boys' Brigade would take him or even how it would affect his life. What he soon did know, though, was that he thoroughly enjoyed the programme of drill (with rifles!), Bible class, band, ambulance (first aid), signalling, gymnastics and camping. [3]
Colour Sergeant Robert Hunter Tait was one of three young men in December 1917 to receive The King's Badge (now known as The Queen's Badge), the highest award the Brigade had to offer; and the first to do so in Australia. The badges were presented on this occasion by the Governor of Queensland, Sir Hamilton Goold-Adams.[5] From that prestigious moment, Bob was appointed Staff Sergeant, before later being commissioned as a Lieutenant (that is, a trained volunteer leader). [3]
Bob loved George Orr and all that George stood for. He sought to emulate George's finest qualities. When George passed away in 1929, it was Bob Tait who was called upon by the leadership team and church to 'take the reins' as Captain. By the time he relinguished them in 1960 (he had stood down during the war years whilst he was transferred to Townsville, relinquishing to fellow King's Man, Charles Leaver), Boys' Brigade had grown from a single Company in Australia to a dynamic nation-wide movement in hundreds of churches. And Bob Tait had been an integral part in driving that growth. So much so, that when the Brisbane Companies decided to form a 'council' in 1950, it was Bob who was asked to chair. When a Queensland council was formed later in the 1950s, Bob was appointed its foundation president. And when Australia formed a council, it was once more Bob Tait who was elected its inaugural president. He 'retired' from BB in 1966, having attained 53 years of continuous voluntary service. The captaincy of 1st Brisbane was passed to Grahame Milliner, another Old Boy of the Company and son of Edmund Milliner, also an Old Boy of 1st Brisbane. [3]
Bob Tait was active in the Ithaca Presbyterian Church throughout his life. In 1941 he was appointed an Elder and was elected Session Clerk in 1961. In this latter role he served on many councils of the Presbyterian Church. His theology was built on practical service to others. [4]
As a young man, Bob was active in sport, as an oarsman where he won several races as the stroke in fours and eights, and as a keen hockey player. He was president of the Queensland Hockey Association in 1938. He was also the first president of the Queensland Hockey Umpires Association, a State selector and a first grade umpire through many seasons. [3]
In the Australia Day Honours 1980, Bob was appointed Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for his service to youth through The Boys' Brigade and involvement and administration of sport, particularly with hockey. [6]
Bob married Jenefer Wright on 13th February 1929 in Ithaca Presbyterian Church, Paddington, Queensland.[7] Their son, John, became the first Boy to achieve The Queen's Badge – the name given The King's Badge following Queen Elizabeth II's succession – in Queensland, in 1953.
Having been widowed for six years, Bob passed away, aged 80 years, on 15th July 1981 in Queensland and his remains are buried with those of Jenefer's in Brisbane General Cemetery, Toowong. [8]
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Categories: Justices of the Peace | Boys' Brigade King's and Queen's Men | Boys' Brigade Leaders | Ithaca Presbyterian Church, Paddington, Queensland | Australia, Voluntary Workers | Members of the Order of Australia | Toowong Cemetery, Toowong, Queensland | Australia, Notables in Religion | Notables