“It’s now called Stockton Hall, there is a plaque and it’s all official – it has been such a buzz of a day,” Bob said.

“It was lovely being back there, I don’t know all the kids anymore but they still all made eye contact and were smiling. I felt like a grand-dad, hugging everyone and then leaving.”

Bob was principal of the school for 16 years and shepherded in many changes, including developing the music program, building school resources and the partnership with Camp Creative that brought with it major improvements to school facilities, as well as starting the Aboriginal Learning Resource Centre and supporting countless students through difficult times.

It’s a formidable list, which is why upon his retirement four years ago, Camp Creative’s patrons Gillian Helfgott and (the now late) Peter Nance, nominated him to the Department of Education … the wheels of the bureaucracy have been grinding away ever since, reaching their finale with the ceremony at the school’s presentation day.

Gillian said she and Peter had worked closely with Bob over many years and she found him inspiring.

“I was always impressed at his dedication to the kids and his understanding of young people,” Gillian said.

“He was instrumental in having Camp Creative at the school, in the spirit of giving everyone the chance to develop their creative abilities and in making it a family event.

“He was a fine principal, a lovely family man and he was so happy to give of himself to the kids.”

She said the changes at the school had been extraordinary and that stood out at the ceremony.

“One thing that struck me was how well balanced things are there – there are just as many kids achieving in music as there are in sport, and the Aboriginal dance was just beautiful – it brought me close to tears.”