MONTGOMERY, Robert “Monty”
Born Thursday May 20, 1943. Passed away Monday August 16, 2021.
Son of Gordon and Vera (Both dec). Brother of John and Michael (dec)
“The character from the bush”
Funeral notice
Thursday August 26, 2021
Due to covid safe restrictions a private funeral will be held for Robert Montgomery.
Click here to view a recording of the service.
Tributes
Leave a tributeI have just been alerted to the passing of Monty by Tom Gardiner...the three of us attended St. Joey's in the heady days of the 1960's as boarders. I remember his warm gentle approach to life ...his sporting skills and his musical capacity on the guitar and his embrace of the exciting music that was hitting the airwaves there at the time.
When I read of his teaching and his kiteflying and love of cars and country music I absorbed it all with a mixture of admiration and regret because all were right in my lane...the regret part came to mind because our last contact was in 1961. God Speed Monty ...continue those actions and conversations up in heaven...God will be your mate! Peter Lawlor on behalf also of Tom Gardiner, another Man Of The Otways.October 10, 2023 1:32 am
My dear friend Monty.
Keeper of our beautiful bush.
So good to have known you.
With lots of love
enidNovember 12, 2021 4:02 pm
Monty the most beautiful gentleman I ever met .. I work at cobden Iga and my kids loved him … a beautiful man who loves to travel I heard heaps about his travels .. I will forever miss his story’s
November 05, 2021 9:19 pm
We have been trying to track Monty down for many years as he was Best Man at our wedding and a great friend during my three years lecturing at Marcus Oldham College. The irony is that we discovered Monty’s passing via a friend on our 50th anniversary this weekend. The Lotus Europa was the car that took Me to our wedding and the carved Tiki that went to all the Gigs was our wedding present. We have such fond memories of the times spent with Monty, always laughter always music., we remember him deciding he wanted to play the banjo! Great times with the Morris 850 car club. So many regrets that we were not able to meet up on one of our visits to Australia from the UK, where we moved immediately after our wedding.
October 05, 2021 12:17 am
Was sorry to hear of your passing Monty. A true character and a great fella. RIP Monty.
September 02, 2021 2:04 am
I'm so grateful for the time you took to teach me guitar and the many stories you shared. Those roads in carlisle won't be the same without seeing you zipping around in your little car. You were one of a kind and its so hard to believe that you're no longer here. I was sorting through my bookshelf today and came across a guitar book and DVD with your initial on them, you lent me them many years ago, i never did get around to returning them to you but i'm pleased now that I didn't.
Rest easy Monty xxSeptember 01, 2021 7:44 pm
Cousin Monty,
Our paths seldom crossed but through family chats I kept abreast of your goings on. You were truly gifted and gave selflessly to help others learn.
Rest peacefully.
Maureen KyneAugust 29, 2021 5:33 pm
Five decades of friendship and shared love of the bush. Unforgettable memories of camping by the Gellibrand every year, great times around the camp fire , intense discussions, playing music, trips around the Otways in our Suzi's, our Tasmania adventure.
The end of an era.
We are very sad and miss you Monty.
Michele, Lucia and Geoff Rhodes.
( I have some great photos of Monty and happy to provide copies if anyone would like . ph 0409386030)August 28, 2021 9:41 am
Every time i see a kangaroo whistle on a car i always think of you monty. Ill always remember accidentally breaking one on your suziki while i changed the motor in it and uncle ben (bryan pearce) gluing it back together before you rocked up haha. Forever in our hearts old boy, i will miss our random chats rest easy you deserve it
August 27, 2021 11:42 pm
Wow I was shocked to see you’ve gone !
You are and always will be the Carlisle legend, so many memories growing up !
Going down Montys track to go fishing on the big logs fallen across the river 🥰
At primary school there was a Aboriginal film made one the flats at your property and we visited and I got to try a witchy grub 🤪
Carlisle will never be the same !
Thoughts to all your family and I’m sure they have comfort in that you are now with nature which was your whole life 💞
Rest easy Monty
Kellie Guthrie (Skinner)August 27, 2021 8:45 pm
Fond memories of teaching music with you at Lavers Hill Consolidated. Jam sessions at your place, going to the Shadows concert and Emmylou Harris, listening to your Merle Haggard records and general conversations about music and having fun. Your awareness of nature and the environment made a deep impression on me. You always said that your dream job was to be J J. Cale’s roadie, well if he’s up there, you can do that now. RIP my mate, Monty.
August 27, 2021 12:07 pm
Now that yesterday's funeral is over, it's about time that I added to the tributes. There is not a lot I could say about Robert/Monty that other people leaving tributes haven't already said. He loved nature, music, cars and a fair few people; and a fair few people loved him.
Within the family, we never called him Monty as we all got called that in our own circles. In fact, when people said to me: "You must be Monty's brother", I used to say: "No, I'm Monty. He's the brother."
I wish to pay tribute to the people who supported Monty during his final days.
First, I recently asked Mark ("Thommo") Thompson how often he drove from Torquay to Carlisle to see Monty during the past few years. He said: "About every three weeks". That shows the commitment from the man who ultimately found Monty during his hour of greatest need, conscious but flat on his back on the floor, about three weeks ago.
Second, there's Monty's mechanic and mate, Bryan Pearce. Bryan not only managed Monty's cars and funeral, he and his wife, Venessa, kept Monty in touch with family life by sharing the company of their three children over a long period.
Finally, there's Monty's daughter, Haley, who travelled half way around the world three times to see him recently, after a very long separation. This contact added happiness to his life and may have given him a few more years than he would otherwise have had.August 27, 2021 9:44 am
Monty i was a young lad when i met you and saw your delight when my father presented you with dressed chickens and slabs of beer so that we could camp and fish on your river banks ,great times with many visits to your property wilst growing up ,had also some great partys at your house with some remembered and some not so well ,very sad i didn't get to say goodbye to you mate ,seeya Monty
August 27, 2021 8:02 am
Farewell my friend! Today we say good-bye to a truly amazing man you were a kind and caring person of all living things be it animal , plant or mankind, you were not afraid to speak your mind and tell people how it was! I will always be greatful for our chats❤️ And I will miss our heated discussion's at work over the price of our products! Rest easy my friend Monty you will be missed ❤️🙏🏻❤️
August 26, 2021 2:57 pm
To my wonderfully eccentric father Monty. Today you return back to the Bush where you belong.
The pain of not being there to say goodbye is unbearable at times, but you once said to me that love transcends time and space, refering to the distance between us that we've endured for so long.I will remember you for having the courage to live according to your own ideals. You lived outside
the system, answering to no one, preferring a simple life. Fortunately, I had the opportunity to share that life with you for a short while, and in that time I began to understand your love of the Bush and everything that made a home in it.
I will always remember the conversations we had by the fire, the road trips around the Otways and the endless laughs we had with a beer in hand.
I will always love you.
Haley xxxAugust 26, 2021 1:01 pm
I never met you Robert but you must have been a real gentleman . Bob Cairns .
August 25, 2021 3:32 pm
Hey Monty, Thanks for being you and bringing so much colour and knowledge and warmth to the community. You were on of a kind ..RIP
August 24, 2021 6:18 pm
I always found you a weird man, but because of that I knew that I loved you.
You showed me things that I couldn’t understand why they were so beautiful, as I got older I understood, these things were things you were passionate about, Trees and Animals. You used to always come by at mum and dads work and always ask about my art, and all I ever wanted to do was draw my silly little people, but you still always insisted in giving me little drawing guides full with animals and leaves and detailed trees. As I got older I learnt to appreciate theses, and developed the love for animals, the love for nature. That is because of you, you showed me how beautiful life could really be. I want to thank you for that.
you were honestly an incredible man that I did and always will look up to, I love you so much and I’m going to miss you a hella lot.
Thank you for being you MontyForever in my heart ❤️
August 23, 2021 6:23 pm
Monty was one of a kind. I taught with him in the 70's at Chilwell Primary School in Geelong and the kids loved and respected him. He was always referred to as "Sir" by the children. It was the era of ties and sports coats but Bob wore neither! He had the long hair and the goaty and drove his orange Lotus Europa sports car and had a real presence.
An individual and free thinker, a true loss.John Wallace
August 23, 2021 5:55 pm
The Otways have lost another legend. A great teaching friend and colleague. Monty had many interests and many talents. Monty, you will be missed but not forgotten.
August 23, 2021 5:55 pm
Mighty Mont!
You have always been a character full of worldly knowledge.
Anytime you found something about Fords you would clip it out and bring it in for Bryan to have a read.
All the times you went away, you would always come back and tell us all the stories of your journey. Sometimes even having to come back for a quick fix before setting off again.
You were a patient man and spent time talking with Tahnee about art and providing the materials for her to enhance her skills, trying to teach Shakia how to play guitar and getting her a Ukelele and Axle, well mostly the talk was around cars and the importance to learn.Our children will never forget you, we will never forget you.
August 23, 2021 4:42 pm
Many great memories of my first husband Robert 'Beau' Montgomery. Condolences to his family from The Grant family. Happy days at Geelong Palais and Colac Victoria Hall. Also the Mini Car Club. Cheryl Kelly (nee Grant, aka Montgomery)
August 23, 2021 10:04 am
The Otway Light Community Newspaper will miss Monty, who supported the paper over 42 years.
The Otway Light Editorial BoardAugust 23, 2021 10:03 am
Sincere condolences of the passing of a great man. Great memories, good times many happy memories a great best man,
Remembering all the fun economy runs in the fiat 500,
Will be sadly missed not only by me but the whole of the western district car club .August 22, 2021 3:54 pm
Monty or as I jokingly called him the Count of Carlisle
A true child of the Otway spreading nearly all his life there. He truly loved the Bush !
Every visit we would venture into the the bush to be shown some new plant he had discovered
I will be forever indebted to him for introducing me to the natural beauty of his environment
He was one of the most intelligent peopleI have ever met -a man of many talents
Teacher , musician navigator and Artist ( His Victorian logo is on many of our number plates )
He was my dear friend for over 60 years
We played music together, wandered the Otway together, drank together but what we did best was laugh together.
I will forever miss him
ThommoAugust 22, 2021 11:41 am
Mr Monty,
We will cherish the fond memories of weekends spent with you camping at your magnificent river, the amazing stories you’d tell us and your time teaching us about the land you loved so very much. Thank you for your guidance and care when we lost our beautiful Mum and Grandmother (Buggin). We will forever treasure your wonderful friendship with her, your love for Little Buggin and your patience with “the boy that never stops talking”.
Our hearts are broken.Laura, Ian, Gracie and Nate
August 22, 2021 7:56 am
So sad to hear of Monty’s passing. A true Otway identity and unique character; he will be greatly missed by all who loved him and knew him through his broard range of endeavours & interests over a long lifetime. This encompasses his teaching career; as an artistic horticulturist, a sportsman and many other endeavours taken on by Monty. My thoughts are with him, his family& in particular Haley, Shelby and Claire. Fond memories from Liz Brown- former teaching colleague & long time Otway resident
August 21, 2021 3:55 pm
Farewell Montus , I treasure the times we shared through music and motor sport , you were a true inspiration and a great companion socially. Thanks for the memories.
Robert Bell.August 21, 2021 3:31 pm
Monty,
A wonderful character and a great contributor to the natural environment of the Otways. Also such a true lover of cricket and the Otway CC.Well batted and cheers.
Jack and Julie Holden
August 21, 2021 12:11 pm
We miss seeing Monty pulled up along the roadsides passing through the Carlisle River heathland. Always up for sharing thoughtful reflections on life and where to locate rare flowering plants. A huge admirer & devotee of Enid Mayfield’s ‘Flora of the Otway Plain & Ranges’ which will always remind us of him.
August 21, 2021 10:28 am
Robert,
You were a valued member of the Chilwell Primary School staff
for a number of years in the late 70’s.
A talented teacher in so many facets of education
Different but effective! The children who were lucky enough to
make up his classes loved him. Who could forget the activities he initiated? Whether it be formal subject or flying kites it was alway fun.
Whenever I see a pupil from Chilwell in uniform I’m reminded of
Robert as the monogram CPS was designed by him in 1972..
Robert was “different “ ; never afraid to speak his mind, loyal to the
limit.
I remember fondly “bending” the rules and sneaking him off to Bathurst for the annual car racing!!! The only proviso : Don’t get your face on TV!!
We are all the better for having known him!!
Fred LeDeux. (Ex Principal)August 21, 2021 10:01 am
MONTY, We always knew you as Rob, Robert Montgomery. Long time Musician in the well known Geelong and District's band THE TIKKIS. Entertained many over the years with group members, Dennis Ingles (deceased) Leo Neagles, Cheryl (neeMontgomery) Kelly, Mick Kelly and myself, Denis Parker. We all enjoyed the pleasant disposition you portrayed in our group. Another special SJC Old boy, gone to join his maker.
August 20, 2021 9:55 pm
Monty, I’ll miss the friendly banter we had and cherish the stories you told be. Never a Quiet one! You alway lit up every room you came into and always accepted everyone. You will be greatly missed.
Danica Walker
August 20, 2021 8:26 pm
So long Monty, legend of the Otway’s. Fond memories of the cricket days, especially on his patch at Ditchley Park. A man of many talents and a true gentleman, rest easy Monty.
August 20, 2021 4:39 pm
Monty. Long time friend and Manager of the Gil Gordon and Graham Harrison,s motor racing team. Memories of the Bathursts and Touring Car championships. A very talented guy in many fields including as a musician and drinking mate at the Barwon Hotel in Geelong. We spent many days travelling and Racing and Rallying around Australia. I will always see you holding up the pit board on the main straight. Rest in peace, catch up with other members in the other world.
Graham Harrison.August 19, 2021 10:17 am
Monty, you were a true Otway legend, l will never forget our friendship on and off the cricket field,
You will greatly be missed by all that have met you,
l wish I could stand at the other end and say Not Out but sadly the bails have fallen.
RIP Monty
Bryson HodgeAugust 19, 2021 7:08 am
Monty will be remembered as a passionate conservationist who loved all living things and had a detailed understanding of the interelationships between plants and animals.
Monty was indeed a unique and proud individual and always ready to have a chat and exchange his ideas with other poeple.
Rest in peace and watch the platypus in the next world.August 18, 2021 11:02 pm
So sad a true legend spent many a good times with Monty true gentleman Crill and Beeac Cricket Club never forget
August 18, 2021 9:37 pm