AFTER 18 years, the smiling face of Balo Square Shopping Centre has called it a day.
Rob Johnson has been the go-to man at Balo Square for nearly 20 years, and on Thursday drew the curtain on his role as site supervisor.
In the coming weeks, Rob, 69, and wife, Barb, will relocate to Bingara, where they’ve built a new home to enjoy well-earned retirement.
Rob spent most of Thursday farewelling friends and colleagues at Balo Square and said he will miss all the good people he’s met over the years.
“I’ll mostly miss the people, the regulars and a lot of the older shoppers – they’re all good people,” Rob said.
“But everybody that comes into Balo Square are good people – the entire town of Moree is full of good people.”
Rob, who was yard manager at Nash’s Transport on Greenbah Road before taking on the role at Balo Square in 2007, said he’ll take some fond memories with him up the Elcombe Road to Bingara.
“Some days have been interesting . . . very interesting,” he laughed.
“There’s been some funny moments over the years – things that happen out of the blue – but they’ve all been good memories, with good people.”
Rob says retirement beckons.
“We’ve bought a block of land in Bingara and put a modular house on it, and we should take delivery of that this week.
“I went to school in Bingara and it’s close to Moree, and still very much like home,” he said.
Rob’s official title at Balo Square was site supervisor and acting on-site manager, but he was much more that.
Archie Karam, proprietor of Balo Square Newsagency, said Rob was always there when needed.
“Rob did a fantastic job, and he became a good friend and good work colleague,” Archie said.
“He did so many extra things around the centre, and always went above and beyond his normal workload.
“Rob looked after the place incredibly well and always treated people right. He was always fair and always welcomed everyone. He never missed a beat, and was a very good worker.
“Rob’s been like family to us, and he treated everyone the same.
“He and Barb have earned their retirement up the hill at Bingara Heights,” Archie smiled.
Words and Image: Bill Poulos
