Awards 2019

Robert (Bob) Shewring

Nominated by Norman Cramp 

Seconded by Christine Cramp

Bob Shewring is 73 years young and has lived most of his life in the NT after returning with his parents in 1950.

Although he was born in Geelong after his mother was evacuated just before the bombing of Darwin in 1942, he is a third generation Territorian. Bob is also a Vietnam Veteran. He has devoted more than 60 years of his life to volunteering in the NT, in community service, sporting, Not-for-profit and Veteran related organisations. He is retired now and spends approximately 30-40 hours per week volunteering in various capacities with a variety of organisations.

As a Vietnam Veteran, Bob spent years lobbying governments at all levels to bring home the last remaining 25 Australian soldiers that were buried in Vietnam during the Vietnam War. Bob founded "Operation Bring Them Home" in 2014 and corrected what he saw as a 'terrible injustice' for these soldiers that had made the supreme sacrifice for their country. The soldiers were brought home on 2nd June 2016 and in recognition for his untiring efforts, Bob was selected as the 2016 NT Senior Citizen of the Year.

Bob retired from a 35 year career in Education as a Teacher, adult educator, senior lecturer, assistant Principal and Assistant Director Aboriginal Education and Principal Education Officer.

To this day Bob continues to provide assistance and support services to veterans their families and others from all sectors including Not-for-Profit sectors as a volunteer Chair, Director, Advisor, Motivator, Confidante.