Bob Percival had district’s interests at heart

THE late Robert ‘Bob’ Percival is being remembered for his many contributions to Narrabri and the broader district.

Mr Percival died on Friday 31 July.

Mr Percival was born in Sydney and raised in Nundle before living in Kootingal and then completing his electrical trade in Tamworth.

He would then move to Gunnedah as one of the original owners of Namoi Valley Electrics, which still operates today.

Mr Percival moved to Narrabri almost 50 years ago to establish a drive-in movie business and then Bob Percival Electrical.

Professionally, Mr Percival dedicated his life to the electrical industry.

He was well-known for his skill, integrity and professionalism.

His love of and dedication to the Narrabri community was unwavering right from his early days in town.Mr Percival wanted to be part of the popular October street carnival, so went along to a committee meeting to see how he could assist.

It wasn’t long until he was appointed chairman.

Mr Percival’s community involvement grew from there.

He was heavily involved with the Narrabri Lions Club, Narrabri Jockey Club and racecourse trust.

His community dedication was honoured with the shire’s Volunteer of the Year award in 2018.

Mr Percival was involved with the jockey club for close to 50 years and had previously served a long tenure as president.

For his dedication to the organisation, he had been awarded life membership.

Mr Percival also served as president of the racecourse trust and enjoyed a long involvement with that organisation.

Former jockey club president Cathy Redding remembered fondly her many years spent working alongside Mr Percival.

Mrs Redding, a former Narrabri Shire mayor, had also been thrilled to see Mr Percival’s outstanding community dedication acknowledged with the shire volunteer honour during her time at the council’s helm.

“He would just get in and do the job. He didn’t expect to get any praise,” Mrs Redding said.

“He was a gentleman, through and through.”

Mrs Redding praised his contributions to the community and said he would often help organisations with his electrical skills.

“People wouldn’t realise exactly how much he did for our community,” Mrs Redding said.

Lions was also a cause close to Mr Percival’s heart after joining the club in 1980.

He was the most awarded member of the Narrabri club and had served as secretary for many years as well as president for three terms.

During his time in Lions, Mr Percival sponsored four members including current Narrabri members John McPherson and Vince Haire.

Mr Percival was a Melvin Jones Fellow – the highest recognition given by the Lions Club International Foundation for exceptional humanitarian service and support.

He received two James Richardson Awards for dedication to Lions and the local community.

Mr Percival was also the recipient of the Harry Hession Award, which honours significant contributions to the NSW/ACT Save Sight Foundation.

Among his more recent honours was the International Lions President’s Award he received in 2023.

He was accorded a standing ovation by the audience at the 2023 District Lions 201N1 Cabinet meeting hosted by the Lions Club of Bellingen when then-District 201N1 Lions Club district governor Rosalie Davis presented the award to Mr Percival at the District Lions Cabinet dinner.

The International Lions Club President’s Award is awarded to Lions who have shown significant levels of commitment to the principles of Lions and made outstanding contributions in the world of service beyond club and district levels. Mr Percival had been involved at a broader district level, holding cabinet positions from 1998 to 2008 as zone chairman.

He served as convention chairperson from 2008 to 2010 and then took up the zone chairperson position from 2014 to 2026.

Narrabri Lions president Rod Onus praised Mr Percival’s dedication to the organisation and acknowledged the extraordinary impact he had.

Mr Percival was pre-deceased by his wife, Shirley, who died in 2013.

The funeral for the late Bob Percival will be held at The Crossing Theatre on Friday 14 August at 11am, followed by a service at the Narrabri Lawn Cemetery and a gathering at the Narrabri RSL.

DYLAN SMITH