Page 627 - Week 02 - Thursday, 24 March 2022
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In the late 80s he started his own lawnmower business in Narrabundah after injuring his back. As the owner of Wanniassa Mower Service he continued to sell, service and repair lawnmowers up until three weeks before he died. When completing official forms of any kind Bob liked to list his job title not as pensioner or lawnmower mechanic but as ex-Snowy Mountains hard rock miner.
The last 18 months had been very tough for old Bob. He lost his wife, daughter Suzie and son Craig, all unexpectedly. I attended two of those services at the Serbian monastery at Wallaroo and they were both very sombre affairs. The social isolation of COVID did not suit the social butterfly known as Rade Gutesa. He did not follow the rules much. I think I can let the cat out of the bag on that. I do not think the authorities are going to chase him up at this stage. He did not much follow the rules but people around him did, and it just made life tough for him.
Last year he was diagnosed with cancer, which, ironically, was not the thing that eventually took his life. Heart disease was the defining factor in the end, but I would love to know how many cartons of VB and how many packets of cigarettes he consumed. My word! He will be remembered by so many as the loveable rogue, the life of the party, the cheeky rebel that he was.
I think my favourite thing about Bob was that his home was genuinely yours. He was always keen to invite you into his home, at which point you were compelled to stay for a very long time, and you needed help to leave. Rade Gutesa is survived by his daughter Marija and a collection of loving grandchildren. I just wanted to put on the record today that he was a champion bloke.
MR ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Mr Davis): We acknowledge Bob’s family in the public gallery for joining us today. Thank you.
Answers to questions on notice
MS DAVIDSON (Murrumbidgee—Assistant Minister for Seniors, Veterans, Families and Community Services, Minister for Disability, Minister for Justice Health and Minister for Mental Health) (4.11): I want to provide a quick update to Mrs Kikkert about questions 657 and 658 from 10 February. Those answers will be provided by tomorrow.
Ginninderra electorate—community engagement
MR CAIN (Ginninderra) (4.11): As I have said on many occasions in the Assembly, one of my favourite activities is getting out amongst the Ginninderra community, meeting constituents and, in particular, engaging with volunteer community organisations. Last Sunday I was privileged to visit two of those—fortunately, not very far apart from each other.
I speak first of the Hawker Men’s Shed Repair Cafe. This wonderful initiative at the softball centre at Hawker provides a safe, family-friendly and literally healing environment—if you could call repairing a tool a healing moment; I think we can get
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