Robert (Bob) was born on 26th August, 1932 in Haberfield, Sydney, the
fourth child of John and Monica Moore and younger brother to Cecil (Ross),
Doris and Joyce. As a child growing up during the war, he moved to Berry
to live with his grandparents and then to Lithgow for three years.
Following the death of his father in 1946, Bob left school a few years
later to help support his family. His first job at age 15, was as an insurance
clerk with TNG Insurance. It was there that he met up with a group of
amateur actors and thus began the love of his life - theatre! From the
age of 16, Bob performed in Sydney amateur theatre productions. Radio
plays and commercials. His first professional role was the lead in Reluctant
Heroes in 1950 and he went on to appear in Robert Newton's 1954 Australian
production of the film, Long John Silver.
The same year, Bob joined the ABC as a mail boy, eventually landing a
position in the Sports Department where he began his long career as a
radio commentator, covering a wide range of sports as well as variety,
parliamentary and world news programs. Bob quickly established himself
as one of the ABC's top broadcasters in both radio and television. Radio
columnist Heather Chapman, described Bob as "The man with the dry
martini voice" and "urbane, sophisticated and charming."
Continuing his love of acting, in 1953 Bob performed with the Genesian
Theatre production of Lady of Fatima where he met his future wife - Margaret
Delves. Together they helped form the madrigal group The Cecilian Singers
and as a baritone, Bob performed in Play of Herod and Play of Daniel.
During his 15 years with the ABC, Bob covered significant events such
as state visits by President Lyndon Johnson, Pope Paul VI and Queen Elizabeth
II. He broadcast the Harold Holt memorial service and in 1956 was in the
Melbourne studio for the Olympics. Bob also interviewed an impressive
array of international stars including Liberace and Sammy Davis Jnr, Australian
artists such as The Deltones, and international classical musicians such
as James Galway. Johnny O'Keefe, who worked with Bob in radio in the 1960's,
gave him the nickname 'Rocket.'
He made a name for himself hosting popular radio shows such as Family
Favourites (with the BBC's Michael Aspel in London), Sentimental Journet,
That Man Moore, The Music Makers and Bob Moore's Bandbox.
In 1970 Bob left the ABC for commercial radio where he joined the 2CH
Snob Mob, broadcasting The Supper Club from the Summit Restaurant in Australia
Square. At the same time he compared the Reg Grundy TV daytime quiz show
Three on a Match. Over the next ten years , Bob continued his career in
commercial radio and television, doing breakfast and drive time radio
for 2CH and 2GB. He was appointed musical director for 2CH and made numerous
guest appearances on TV shows such as The Mike Walsh Show and Blankety
Blanks.
In 1982 Bob left commercial radio to freelance for the remainder of his
career. This allowed him to return to his true love of acting and over
the next decade he appeared in productions of Shakespeare by the Sea (Hamlet
and The Comedy of Errors). The Dresser, The Witness for the Prosecution,
The Lion in Winter, The Kingfisher and the Ensemble Theatre's production
of On the Blind Side. In retirement Bob delighted in spending time on
the golf course - Another great love of his.
Bob and his wife Margaret raised five beautiful children - Nicholas, Martin,
Brigid, Phillipa and Kate and were loving devoted grandparents to Emma,
Olivia. Eliza, James and Benjamin. Sadly Margaret passed away on 20th
July this year. They had been together for almost sixty years!
Bob will be remembered not only for his long and illustrious career in
radio and television, but for his wit, charm, intelligence and exhuberant
personality. He will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved him.
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