Living in Officer for his entire life, most of it just up Starling Rd, Rob Porter was well known for his tireless community work in the district. To many, Rob is best known for his work here at the Officer Recreation Reserve and his involvement with the Officer and ROC Football Clubs.
In his early years Rob was an all-round sportsman, best known as a cheeky and skillful rover who played in Officer's 1961 premiership and in the same year won the South West Gippsland FL Best & Fairest. The following year Rob was recruited to Hawthorn in the VFL.
Rob dedicated his life to his family and the Officer community.
Rob loved working at the sports ground, and he enjoyed nothing more than mowing the ovals, tending to the surrounds all with a view to seeing children and adults utilising the facility he loved and spent his entire life at.
President of the Officer Recreation Reserve Committee of Management for fifty-one consecutive years, Rob was instrumental in every capital works project undertaken at the Reserve. There would not be a building, appliance, tree, drain or pipe that he didn't have a hand in constructing, installing, fixing or maintaining here.
Rob Porter passed away 25 December 2023 aged 81 years.
In mid 2024 the Cardinia Shire Council in conjunction with the Officer Recreation Reserve Committee of Management re-named the Reserve in honor of Rob.