What I See with Peter Fiorenza: Community owes big debt to ex-councillor Bob Hall for 22 years of service

A good friend of mine said to me once: “Good people are those that do the right thing even if no one is looking.” And you know what? It certainly runs true. Like many of us, I have role models, people from all walks of life, who stand out as good citizens. My influences come from famous world leaders and others from history, to sporting heroes and impressionable family members to people I have got to know well over the journey. One of these people is Bob Hall. You might know Bob, or know of him. Bob recently finished a 22-year stint as councillor with the City of Greater Geraldton, after the local government elections That is an 22 consecutive years serving the people of our district. In my opinion, Bob is simply the epitome of a good citizen. He served under three mayors and was in office during the merger of the City of Geraldton and the Greenough Shire. He later also oversaw the amalgamation of the City of Geraldton-Greenough and the Shire of Mullewa to become the City of Greater Geraldton. I’ve been lucky enough to have known Bob for the past 15 years, both in a personal and professional manner. He has a wealth of local knowledge, both historical and operational, along with a huge capacity to help. I suppose this could be coupled with the influence of his former day job as a police officer, serving in Albany, Geraldton and the metro area. Bob’s supportive role as part of the thin blue line has without doubt been replicated in his civic life. For more than two decades, he has been at the forefront of community movement and change, sitting on numerous council committees and community and school boards. You could say he’s been somewhat of a mover and shaker, but in a very understated way. Bob’s not one to blow his own trumpet or do any grandstanding. While he has his values and opinions, the husband and father of three and granddad to several is also very much a team player. And that’s why I think he has been so successful in his community involvement. I’ve never heard anyone say a bad word about my mate. He is the perfect gentlemen, kind and well-mannered with the interests of others always at heart. I often refer to Bob as being very “old school” in his manner. For instance, the other day, we were both at breakfast with some friends. I left a bit earlier than the others and paid my bill on the way out. That night I missed a call from Bob — in fact, he tried to call me several times before leaving a message. “Pete, just letting you know, I owe you for breakfast, you accidently paid for mine the other day.” And I can tell you, he didn’t rest until he had settled the debt. But the debt is, indeed, all ours. Thank you from all of us Bob. Peter Fiorenza hosts Fiorenza on Sunday between 10am and noon on Radio MAMA