Page 30 - The Outdoor Showman January-March 2024

In Memoriam
Robert Philip Gill
15/11/1948 – 2/12/2023
The story goes back to the 1940’s in the town of Walcha NSW.
I was staying with Nana and Pop (Violet and Stanley Gill) in Walcha at that time and attended Walcha state school.
Pop Gill is credited with starting the Walcha brass band. Grandpop played the cornet. Uncle Victor was also in the band, he played the trombone. Uncle Victor fell in love with a local bank worker named Betty Whorlow.
Betty and Victor wed in Walcha in 1944. They had two children, Judith (Judy) Maree, and on 15-11-1948 in Paddington, NSW, Robert Philip was born. Coincidentally with in the same few hours as the birth
of the Prince of Wales, now King Charles.
The family settled in Sydney where Philip and Judy attended school.
In the 1950’s my parents bought some land in Condell Park and built a house for our family and Nan and Pop. Not long after that Uncle Victor and Aunty Betty bought the block next door. That’s where my association with Philip really began and would strengthen over time.
Philip was 13 years younger than me. I would take him and his older sister Judy to the movies and the age difference between us didn’t matter at all, in
fact, after time it was eliminated.
After Philip left school, he joined
Soles Bros Circus. I am not sure of
the timeframe of when he joined that circus. He spent a lot of time with his cousins, The Gill Brothers Rodeo and a couple of stints with Ashton’s Circus.
It was his connection with our Uncle Jack Gill that led to a tour of Hong Kong and the Philippines with the rodeo. Lorraine and I performed there too, and Philip was there to help Uncle Jack with the stock.
In recent years Philip travelled
the show circuit with his laughing clowns and novelties, and made change bags, can balls and various other items for showmen.
Philip was a notorious punter, very astute and with a wide knowledge of the racing game. This came at a very early age.
On his travels he would turn up at our place from time to time and was always a welcome sight. But then he was a welcome sight wherever he went.
He was always quick with a joke and a funny story, usually at someone else’s expense but often at his.
My world is a little less fun without Robert Philip Gill. I’m sure that this applies to many people, such was the affect that he had on all of us.
He is missed by us all but mostly by his children Jody, Sally and Max, his grandchildren, great grandchildren, and his younger sister Vickie.
Rest In Peace Cousin. By Gary Grant
28 THE OUTDOOR SHOWMAN