Bob leaves tree legacy

By Emma Sun
A PLAQUE in memory of a dedicated Narre Warren resident will be erected on the metal Christmas tree he made 18 years ago for the Carols by Candlelight celebrations.
Bob Hill, who passed away in August last year, built from scratch and donated the Christmas tree, which sits more than 10 metres tall in Claire Robinson Park in Narre Warren North.
Bob Street, who has been a Narre Warren North resident for more than 70 years, said the late Mr Hill was an engineer and welder and made the tree by himself. The duo enjoyed a long-standing friendship.
“He asked me one day if we needed a tree, drew the plans for it on a piece of paper and made it at his own cost,” Mr Street said.
“We then got a council permit and I asked a friend of mine if we could use his crane to hoist the tree into the hole we dug. He was more than happy to help and Bob was thrilled to pieces.”
Committee chairman Bert Rae said the plaque served as recognition to the late Mr Hill and promoted the Carols by Candlelight, which sees more than 1000 people gather each year.
“It acknowledges what he contributed to the community – he was a quiet achiever who never looked for any accolade,” he said.
“When the tree is lit up, you can actually see it from the hills in Berwick.”
The Narre Warren North Carols by Candlelight will be held on 10 December and will start at 6.30pm.
The Cranbourne Chorale, the Cranbourne Concert Band and Narre Warren North school choir will be performing on the night, as well as Dianne Van Der Velde and a range of solo artists.
Claire Robinson Park is located on the corner of Memorial Drive and Heatherton Road, Narre Warren North.
The late Mr Hill’s Christmas tree will be decked out in lights next week.