Nobby McMahon, considered to be a son of East Gippsland, was crowned lord of East Gippsland in a lighter moment by his working partner of 25 years, Andrew Fenton.
The occasion, at Salt Creek, was Nobby’s 70th birthday which he celebrated with ore than 300 family and devoted friends.
Nobby remarked that it was the best night of his life.
“To see so many people here tonight that have been so good to me over my lifetime is just the best thing that has ever happened to me”.
But according to everyone who knows Nobby, one of East Gippsland’s larger than life characters and with a heart of gold, it was Nobby’s 70th birthday at Salt Creek that was a celebration of a local bloke filled with humility and kindness.
MC for the night was one of his best friends, Bobby O’Brien, who like other guests of the party travelled from New South Wales. Some guests travelled from across the mountains, up the East Coast and South Australia too. High profile mate of Nobby’s was there as well, horse trainer extraordinaire Peter Moody, an Australian family name in racing, although anonymous to many .
From the local retired school principal, to leading local businessmen and women but perhaps more importantly just good friends joined together celebrating Nobby’s 70th birthday at Salt Creek.
Nobby in concert with his extended family and lifetime friend Paula Morgan organised the fair dinkum food, beer and wine in the country, birthday celebration, it was classic Nobby style.
The weather gods smiled for the party and great weather made the day.
Nobby describes himself as just an Aussie battler from the bush but with his warm personality and heart of gold he has captured the imagination and hearts of everyone that attended.
Sparra Walker kick started the speeches early and ended his tribute to Nobby singing happy birthday. One local businessman said Nobby had a quality that many people could pick up on for
a better world as he had never heard Nobby speak unkindly of anyone. A quality in today’s society of social media that needs promoting.
Speeches went on for some time with local politician Tim Bull getting a nudge during his speech from Bobby the MC, reminding everyone that Nobby had “backed Bully” during his entree to politics, but tonight was not a night to campaign.
Further speakers included, Nob’s sister from Yarrawonga Evelyn and his niece Natalie who spoke for her Dad and Nobby’s brother Ricky.
Michael Capes reflected on Nobby’s work at the Bairnsdale Saleyards over the years and recalled the odd escaping mob of cattle that perhaps Nobby knew nothing or something about.
Colourful character of the high country Doug Tomkins recalled Nobby’s presence at the high country cattle sales and his personality keeping the show alive.
Kim and Chris Martin mentioned Nobby’s time working for them and the life he had brought to their establishments respectively, concluding with Maureen O’Brien and her colourful respectful recollection of Nobby.
Guests heard from speakers recalling Nob’s travels from Darwin to Katherine and Alice Springs and his ongoing showmanship selling chimineas across Australia with the God of Chimineas, Andrew Fenton.
Guests came from Candelo, Bega, Adelaide, Pambula, Jindabyne, Wodonga, Melbourne and Yarrawonga to celebrate Nobby’s birthday in a paddock at Salt Creek.
