Farewell Robin, Letts We Forget

An enormous crowd from all over Australia and overseas converged on Donald last Thursday to farewell a family man, a firm friend and a champion of the district, Robin Letts.

Robin’s kind and unassuming influence was evident in the enormous crowd, with the Uniting Church and its hall filled to capacity.

Robin’s son, Mark Letts, delivered the eulogy which has been edited as follows for publication purposes:

Robin was born in the town he was devoted to, at the Donald Bush Nursing hospital on May 16, 1930. He was the second youngest of four sons born to Godfrey and Maisie Letts. He had the respect and admiration of his three brothers – Malcolm, Goff and Ewan – and loved catching up with them whenever possible.

Robin attended the Donald Higher Elementary school before entering the Naval College at aged 13. On returning from service at the age of 17, Robin commenced employment at the “Donald Times” newspaper as a linotype operator. Due to the nature of operating a country newspaper, Robin was required to perform many tasks including linotype, journalism, photographer, delivery boy, and any other tasks to keep the newspaper published on time. He insisted only positive news be printed, that included not publishing court cases or news that might have a detrimental effect on people in and around the community.

Robin met the love of his life, Shirley Young, at a dance held at the Rich Avon Hall and decided immediately that she was the one. This was a fancy dress ball where Shirley was dressed as a flower girl and Robin, of all things, was the back end of a cow. Robin and Shirley married in 1956 and would have celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary in November of this year. Together, they raised four children, Mark, Timothy, David and Jenni, in their home in Aitken Avenue, later moving to McCulloch Street directly across the road from the “Buloke Times”.

In his younger days, Robin was involved in many sports. He was passionate about cricket and won the bowling average for ANA, bowling his left-arm tweakers. He was also a handy athlete, winning the Ouyen Gift and another event on the same day, with the prize money enough to fund his and Shirley’s honeymoon.

Robin had a love of music, playing instruments including the bagpipes and clarinet, and writing many plays and songs, including the Donald Football Club theme song. He was even known to play the bagpipes whilst single-skiing on Brown’s Lake, with one foot tucked into the triangular handle of the ski rope - a feat that perfectly captured his sense of fun and willingness to give just about anything a go.

He also loved attending football functions across the Southern Mallee, Northern Mallee and Lameroo Leagues. He often spoke fondly of the football trips he enjoyed with good friends including Frank McGrath, Hugh Trewin, Vince McNichol, Dick Giles, Frank Tuck and Spud Hepworth. One of his proudest sporting moments came in 1974, when the NCFD won the Caltex Interleague Competition.

One of his favourite weekly attendances was at SPASMS on Sundays where he was an inaugural member, and it was a great source of information (some of which could not be published in the paper).

Robin enjoyed his gatherings at the Shamrock Hotel on Friday and Saturday nights, where a table was always reserved for himself, his great lifelong mate Billy Anderson and Len Bryan. Later on, Pickles and Sandra Harris and Robin’s wife, Shirley, were recruited to the table; they received great service from the publicans and many people would stop at the table for a yarn.

“Times” Family
Robin was fortunate to have two families in his life, with the second being the wonderful colleagues and friends he made at the “Buloke Times”. Over many years, the people who worked at, contributed to, or supported the “Buloke Times” throughout Robin’s long association became much more than workmates; they were a valued part of Robin’s life, and he was incredibly grateful for their friendship, loyalty and dedication.

The Letts family is deeply grateful to everyone who supported Robin throughout his life, particularly those who visited him and sent cards, messages and kind thoughts during his time at Donald Riverview Nursing Home, acknowledging the support, friendship and care Robin received from the staff there.

Mark concluded with: “Rob, you didn’t quite make Sir Donald Bradman’s average or raise the bat for a century, but you played a long interesting innings! Rest in peace, we will miss you.”

Reflections from Grandchildren
Jacki Michael, Robin’s eldest grandchild, then shared memories of the man she knew as “Grandpa”:
“When I think about Grandpa, many beautiful qualities come to mind,” she said.

“He was a deeply humble and unassuming man. He never looked for praise and he never needed to be the centre of attention.”

As most know, Robin hated having his photo taken, instead, he preferred to let others shine. To the public, he was an editor and an OAM recipient.

“But to us,” Jacki continued, “he was simply Grandpa, the gentleman who loved to hum a quiet tune as he walked around the house.” That soft humming was the soundtrack of his home (and his office), demonstrating a man who was deeply at peace with who he was.

He would often say: “Family really is everything”, and he showed this through his love for Shirley, his brothers, nieces, nephews; his children and their partners; his grandchildren and their partners; and his great-grandchildren.

“While Grandpa achieved so much in his professional life, one of his greatest joys was being a grandfather,” Jacki said. “I feel like we got the absolute best of him. His deep love for his family is woven into the very fabric of our lives.”

He could relate to people from all walks of life and always found joy in the smallest of things. He was quite an amusing person with some funny sayings, some hilarious jokes and his famous Letts’ trait of squeaking out a tune from between his palms (hand-farts).

Jacki described her grandfather as kind, gentle and with a love of animals; recalling walks with him and his dog Hamish, and tours of the town he loved - Donald.

“Grandpa was a constant figure in our lives and we were lucky enough to collect a lifetime of beautiful moments with him,” Jacki said. “He was often our number one supporter. Whether it be his encouragement in our careers, school or sport, he was always interested.

“I recall him standing on the sidelines of a netball game yelling, ‘Come on St. Arnaud!’ and an onlooker commented: ‘I never thought I’d see the day Robin Letts would be cheering for St. Arnaud!’”

“Anything for family, and that’s my Granddaughter!” was the reply.

Family trips were unforgettable, but the absolute highlight of each trip was when the whole family would assemble at the bar (any bar); laughing, sharing stories and being together.

In his later years Robin would sit back at family occasions, mostly birthdays or weddings, in awe of his family. He would say with great pride that it all happened because of Shirley, then he would look at her in astonishment. His love and adoration for his wife were never a secret to anyone. He would say: “How was I so lucky?”

You could see his devotion in the simplest things. It was there every time he was seen wearing one of those beautiful jumpers Shirely had knitted for him.

Robin’s daughter Jenni witnessed the true depth of his love just a few days before he passed, when his ability to speak was fading. As the family was getting ready to leave the nursing home for the night, Shirley went to Robin’s side, held his face gently in her hands, and kissed his forehead several times. Even without words, he looked up at her with eyes full of adoration and gave the most incredibly loving smile. It was a smile that said everything his voice no longer could. Jenni was ready to say her own goodnight, but realised in that instant that no one else needed to speak. She didn’t want to disrupt that connection; she just wanted her father to hold on to that moment with Shirley. It was the purest testament to their lifelong devotion, and a memory their family will treasure.

Jacki concluded with: “Grandpa, we want to say thank you for your guidance, your wisdom, and for showing us what it truly means to live a good, loving life. We are sad today because we will miss you but your values live on in us. We love you.”
From the Family

Robin’s nephew Malcolm Letts shared reflections from the wider family, all of whom remembered Robin as warm, funny, humble, intelligent, curious, hardworking and deeply committed to family and community.

Robin was described as a genuinely “top bloke” who had an extraordinary capacity to make people feel welcome, valued and important, without ever seeking attention for himself.

He received numerous personal and professional accolades, including an OAM, life memberships and achievement awards.

Though Robin’s achievements have been considerable, his character was recognised as even more impressive than his accomplishments.

The Final Edition
To complete the perfect send-off, and concisely summing up the lasting legacy left by such an incredible human being, Baden Letts recited the following piece which was written by an anonymous author:

The Final Edition
There is a quiet dignity in those who record our stories.

They are the keepers of our milestones – the ones who mark our arrivals, celebrate our triumphs, and stand beside us in our grief.

Through every headline, every deadline, and every carefully chosen word, they weave the fabric of a town together, ensuring no life is forgotten and no achievement goes unnoticed.

To love words is to love people. To edit is to listen deeply, to seek clarity, and to give everyone a fair hearing. His work was not just printed on paper; it was written into the heart of this community.

Though the final edition is set, the story he built with all of us will never fade.

Farewell
Leaving the church, Robin’s pallbearers each wore one of his iconic jumpers, knitted by Shirley, in a touching tribute to his favoured wardrobe. And it seemed as though the whole town turned out in a guard of honour as the funeral cortege made its way to the Donald Cemetery.

Though we may feel sadness that Robin is no longer with us, we can be joyful that the legacy this great man has left will live forever. Letts we forget.