General News
24 September, 2025
From London to Horsham: Rob Brigden reflects on 86 years
Horsham resident Robert ‘Rob’ Brigden celebrated his 86th birthday in the Wimmera Nursing Home on September 5.
While talking to The Mail-Times, he reflected on a life shaped by resilience, sport, travel and his enduring marriage to his wife, Joy.
“I felt a bit proud of living this long,” he said.
“Idon’t think I would live this long.”
Born in London in 1939, just as World War II began, Rob’s childhood was marked by hardship.
“My mother abandoned me and placed me in a home, and I had to live in a home all my life,” he said.
At just 15, Rob left school and later joined the British Army, serving for four years, including a tour of duty in Germany.
Sport became an essential part of his service years.
“I played for the army sometimes because they wanted volunteers, and I played cricket and soccer,” he said.
In 1970, Rob migrated to Australia.
“I come to Fisherman’s Bend, which is a place in Victoria where all the people go when they get migrated, if they’ve got nowhere to go,” he said.
“And I said to them, well, I can work.”
Soon after, he found work as a salesman and eventually settled in Horsham, where he met Joy.
They married on May 31, 1975, at the Church of England in Nhill, and they don’t have any children.
“We’ve been married ever since, 50 years of marriage,” he said.
“Having a great life with my wife Joy gives me meaning and purpose.”
Rob also built a strong sporting life in Horsham.
“I started playing golf at the club here in Horsham, and I was a member there,“ he said.
“I won two holes in one at Horsham Golf Club and one at Dandenong.”
Despite no longer playing, Rob remains an avid sports follower.
“My team is Chelsea Football Club, and I have always followed and supported them.”
Looking back, Rob said he values the independence and resilience that carried him through challenges.
“Idon’t realise that I live by myself,” he said.
“I’ve made my own positions. I had to do this, I had to do that, and it’s up to me.”
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