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Citizens of the Year 2009Bob & Floss HolschierBob & Floss were jointly awarded the “Australia Day Citizens of the Year” for their community work in the Waranga Ward of the Shire of Campaspe in 2009. Bob and Floss were married in 1955 and lived in Clayton, a suburb of Melbourne, before moving to Stanhope to take up Dairy Farming in 1964. At that time they had three young children two boys and a girl. In 1968 another son was born. Floss gained employment as a teacher at the nearby Rushworth High school, a position she held for 27 years. In 1980 Bob became ill and they had to leave farming and moved into their present home in the Stanhope township. |
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Bob Holschier
Awarded the Australian Centenary Medal by Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth, for outstanding services to his Local Community and the Victorian Regional Tourism Industry – 2002
After leaving school at the age of 14 and following 16 years in the building industry in Melbourne, together with his young family, Bob moved to Stanhope in the Goulburn Valley of Northern Victoria to take up Dairy Farming in 1964.
During his 45 years in Stanhope Bob has held numerous positions on a variety of community and industry bodies – all in a voluntary role.
Dairyfarming & the Dairy Industry.
1964 - 80 During his years as a dairy farmer he became involved in Dairy Industry matters, holding the following positions:
1969 - 76 President, Stanhope Branch of Victorian Farmers Union (VFU) (Now the Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF)
1972 - 76 President, District Council of VFU Dairy Division (Goulburn Valley Region, based at Shepparton)
1972 - 76 Member of Executive Council VFU Dairy Division. (Melbourne)
1975 - 76 Played leading role in the establishment of the United Dairyfarmers of Victoria (UDV)
1976 - Unsuccessful candidate for the inaugural State Presidency of UDV.
1976 - 79 President of Stanhope Branch UDV.
1980 - Retired from Dairyfarming, due to ill health.
However, was invited to address various rallies of Dairyfarmers in the Goulburn Valley and Melbourne on a number of occasions during the 1980’s.
Salinity Control & Land Degradation. During his involvement in the dairy industry, he was responsible for considerable research into Salinity & Land degradation in Northern Victoria and Southern NSW. He chaired the very first public meeting ever held in Victoria to discuss this major problem.
Although, long retired from the Dairy Industry, living in a town dependant on the Dairy Industry, he still retains a strong interest in the industry
Retail Marketing
1980 - 1986
1980 - 86 Founded and operated “The Stanhope Drapery”
1983 - 84 Opened “Hollies Family Drapery’ in the Craigieburn Shopping Centre
Following his retirement from the Dairy Industry, he opened the “Stanhope Drapery” in his local town, which he operated for 6 years. This included stock management and general running of the business on a day by day basis. He employed staff for the duration of the business.
During this time he opened “Hollies Family Drapery” in the Craigieburn Shopping Centre. This venture proved to be unviable and he closed it after only 9 months of operation.
1982 - 86 President of The Stanhope Chamber of Commerce & Industry Inc.
He was elected president of the Stanhope Chamber of Commerce in 1982 and during the ensuing 4 years the membership of the chamber doubled. A number of promotions were held and the traders of Stanhope were extremely successful during this time. This was recognized by other Chambers, and he was invited to speak at various towns throughout Northern Victoria.
He rejoined the Chamber in more recent years and acted as secretary for two years.
Tourism & The Tourism Industry
1987 - 2001
1987 - He opened an office in Rushworth & founded and operated “Guided Tours of Victoria”
1990 - Founded and operated “Educational Excursions – Australia”
1990 - A member of a group of tourism operators who founded the Victorian Tourism Operators Association (VTOA) (He was the first financial member)
1991 - 1994 President, Goulburn Regional Tourism Association.
1993 - Assisted in the restructuring of the Country Victoria Tourism Council: Elected Senior Vice President.
1994 - Founded “Discover Victoria” Tourism Wholesalers.
Founded “VicRes” a central reservation service, in association with Harvey World Travel (Forest Hill)
1995 - 1997 Member of Echuca- Moama Tourism Association Committee.
1995 - 1999. Founded the “Australia-Wide Travel Services” group. This brought all his tourism interests under this one umbrella.
1997 - 1999 Member of the Australia – China Business Council. (Tourism)
1995 - 2001 Created the “Discover Victoria” web site. The very first Internet site promoting Victorian Tourism. Travelled Victoria conducting workshops on “Marketing tourism on the Internet.”
During 1999, he decided to semi retire and move his office back to Stanhope. He was still operating the “Discover Victoria” web site as a hobby. He spent a lot of his time answering queries about Victoria from all over the world.
2001. He retired completely from the tourism industry.
Community Involvement
Past Involvement
1965 - 1676 Member of Stanhope Swimming Pool Committee. President for 8 years.
1967 - 1971 President Stanhope Swimming & Life Saving Club
1969 - 1976 Member, Rushworth High School Advisory Council
1975 - 1980 President of Waranga Ratepayers Association Inc
1970 - 1974 Member of Stanhope Mardi Gras Committee
1971 - 1973 Member of Stanhope Community Hall Committee
1982 - 1984 President of the Stanhope Community Health Centre
1999 - 2002 Chairman, Whroo Advisory Committee
2000 - 2002 Secretary, Stanhope Chamber of Commerce & Industry
2004 - 2006 Inaugural Vice President, Community Newspaper Association of Victoria
2001 – 2008 Chairman, Stanhope & District Development Committee
Current Involvement. He is still an active member of the following organisations:
1981 - Present Chairman of “Waranga News” Board of Management (28 years involvement, 13 years as chairman of management committee) .
2001 - Present. Committee member, Stanhope & District Development Committee. Inc.
As chairman of the Stanhope & District Development Committee (S&DDC), Bob and Floss, have been responsible for launching the very successful “Sponsor a Cow” program. This program has been fully administered by Bob & Floss and has raised many thousands of dollars for drought stricken dairy farmers since 2006.
Under Bob’s leadership the S&DDC has been responsible for the acquisition of the former National Australia Bank property for the Stanhope Community, the establishment of the Stanhope Business Centre including a Rural Transaction Centre. The return of a retail butcher to Stanhope, and the return of banking services.
The fund raising and the successful establishment of a permanent memorial to the memory of the late Sir John McEwen, former Prime Minister of Australia and resident of Stanhope for more than fifty years (This memorial was unveiled by the deputy prime minister the Hon. Mark Vaile) The S&DDC has also been responsible for many smaller and very successful projects.
