Robert Culkan Visit
Sydney Metro Welfare Officers, Warren Thompson, Alan Webb together with John Peard visited Robert CULKAN at Ward 17, Concord Repatriation Hospital, Concord on Thursday 5th February 2015.
Robert is the oldest living Men of League member at the age of 98, and also the oldest living member of the NSWRL, Referees Association.
He was originally from Wellington NSW and came to Sydney to trial with South Sydney in 1944. He was persuaded by a few friends to take up refereeing and in 1944 he was graded as a referee. He refereed his first game at the Sydney Cricket Ground in the inaugural schoolboys carnival. Robert is a member of Canterbury Bankstown Referees Association.
In 2013 he was appointed Ambassador to the NSWRLRA.
In 2014 he presented the NRL Grand final referees with their jerseys.
Robert was originally from Wellington NSW, he served in the Army during the 2nd world war.
He has been married to Esme for 72 years and they had 2 daughters and 3 sons, and many grand children.
John asked Robert who was the best referee of his time and he stated that Aub Oxford was the best, followed by Jack O”Brien.
Robert was presented with a Men of League Polo shirt.
We wish him well in the future.
Alan Webb
Welfare Officer, Sydney Metro 6-2-15
